Watch Loving Lampposts

Loving Lampposts is a documentary from 2010 that explores the world of autism and the controversy surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD), its diagnosis, treatment, and the neurodiversity movement. The film, directed by Todd Drezner, follows the journey of several families who have children with autism, and showcases the different ways they approach the condition, including ABA therapy, parental advocacy, and acceptance.

The film's title comes from one of the film's main subjects, Billy, who has autism and is fascinated by lampposts. Throughout the film, Billy's obsession with lampposts serves as a metaphor for the way people with autism often zero in on specific interests and the way society struggles to understand their unique perspective.

The documentary features interviews with leading experts in the field, including Simon Baron-Cohen, director of the Autism Research Centre at the University of Cambridge, and parents of children with autism, including Nadine Antonelli, the founder of the New York Families for Autistic Children.

One of the central themes of the film is the conflict between the medical model and the neurodiversity movement, which focuses on the idea that autism should be accepted as a natural variation of human diversity rather than a disease or disorder to be cured. The documentary examines the pros and cons of different types of therapy and treatments, from the traditional medical model which advocates for early intervention and treatments like ABA therapy, to the proponents of the neurodiversity movement who advocate for acceptance of autism as a valid and valuable way of being.

The film provides an in-depth look at the variety of ways that families are affected by autism and the struggles they face to find support, resources, and acceptance. We meet a variety of families, including some who have embraced the neurodiversity movement, some who have tried different treatments with mixed success, and others who have rejected any intervention at all. The film also examines the various myths and misconceptions that still surround autism.

One of the most interesting aspects of Loving Lampposts is the way it shows how the children with autism often challenge the very idea of what it means to be normal. Through their unique perspectives and ways of being in the world, they help us to see how arbitrary and limiting our definitions of normal can be. We see how society often tries to force people with autism to fit into a narrow mold of what is deemed "normal" rather than embracing their differences and celebrating their individuality.

The documentary is beautifully filmed and edited, and the powerful stories of the families and individuals featured in the film are told with empathy and sensitivity. The soundtrack is haunting and evocative, adding an extra layer of emotion to the already powerful stories of the families.

Overall, Loving Lampposts is an insightful and thought-provoking documentary about autism and the ongoing debate over its diagnosis, treatment, and acceptance. Whether you are a parent of a child with autism, an educator, a healthcare professional, or simply someone who is interested in learning more about this complex and fascinating condition, this film is sure to provide a wealth of information and inspiration.