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Set & ContinueUSA2008(50 min)
Erik Linthorst’s 51-minute documentary tells the story of his and his wife’s quest to get the best diagnosis and treatment for their son Graham, who was misdiagnosed as autistic at 17 months. In the process it reveals the uncertainties that still exist in this field, given that autism is a spectrum disorder that covers a diverse range of symptoms and that no two children with autism display the same combination of behavioral characteristics. While there is considerable overlap between sensory processing disorder (which Graham presumably has) and autism (for which this is one of the symptoms), it is frequently difficult to distinguish between the two. This distinction may soon become even more difficult to perceive, given that sensory processing difficulties will soon get more (rather than less) emphasis as a newly defined core symptom in diagnosing autism. The Linthorsts’ search also reveals that diagnosis is sometimes used as a means of getting coverage for treatment and other entitlements, a practical goal that many persons feel may be more important than accuracy. In documenting their search for answers, the film consults many of the leading clinical and scientific figures in the field, revealing the complex mix of medical, social, educational, and public health issues that must be confronted by families trying to address their children’s condition.