Watch IEP!

IEP! is a Dutch comedy movie that was released in 2010, directed by Rita Horst. The movie follows the story of a young boy, Jacco, who is starting school for the first time after being diagnosed with autism. He's nervous and scared as he's afraid that he won't be able to make any friends, but being the son of a musician, he can make sounds that no one else can. His mother and father want him to go to a special school for children with learning disabilities, but Jacco insists on going to a regular school.

Jacco's first day in school is a disaster. He gets overwhelmed by the noise and the people, and he can't seem to communicate with anyone. Jacco's teacher, Mr. Frans, however, is patient with him and starts to understand his needs. Mr. Frans is a novelty in the school system as he believes in the children and goes beyond expectations to engage with them. He works with Jacco on communicating with others, and as time goes by, Jacco starts to make friends and become more confident.

Meanwhile, Mr. Frans is fighting to keep his job at the school as he has a difficult time meeting the requirement that states 80% of students must pass the nation's standardized tests. He's not willing to change his teaching methods as he believes that every child is different and that they need to be taught in a way that works for them. Mr. Frans and the parents of the students form an alliance to work together and stop the school board from firing him.

Throughout the movie, Jacco's parents struggle with their son's diagnosis and the fact that he's not like other children. They come to terms with it as they see their son make progress and become happy. They set out to write a song about their son, which becomes a hit and highlights Jacco's unique abilities. The songs become popular amongst the students, and they even make a music video featuring Jacco.

The movie touches on themes of compassion and friendship that can be applied to everyone, with Mr. Frans displaying that children should be taught based on their individual needs and not only as a collective. The movie suggests that there is no specific way to teach a child with autism or learning disabilities, but rather it's about identifying the child's unique strengths and weaknesses to work with them.

IEP! offers a humorous and lighthearted approach to dealing with the challenges of autism and special needs. The film manages to balance comedy with the challenges that families with children with learning disabilities face. It allows us to be empathetic towards people with learning disabilities, as well as incorporating the difficulties that teachers and parents face.

The performances of the actors are also outstanding, particularly Ties Dekker, who plays Jacco, his portrayal of the young autistic boy is both poignant and heartwarming. The supporting cast does an excellent job capturing the idiosyncrasies of each character, from Mr. Frans' quirks to Jacco's parents' love and frustration.

Overall, IEP! is a beautiful, honest and empathetic portrayal of the challenges and joys of living with autism. The film takes viewers on a journey through the emotions that come with raising and teaching children with learning disabilities. It's a reminder that every child has their unique voice, and it's up to us to discover it.