Award-winning documentary, AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, is airing on HBO now through March 30, 2008. HBO is also offering free-streaming of the film for one week at www.hbo.com.

"In 1980, autism was a relatively rare disorder, diagnosed in one of every 10,000 U.S. children. Today, according to the Centers for Disease Control, one in 150 may be afflicted. AUTISM: THE MUSICAL counters this troubling statistic with the story of five autistic children, their families and the dynamic woman who leads them to defy expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own musical. An intimate portrait of these young people and their families as they struggle, and ultimately triumph, through the transformative power of theatre."
(summary courtesy of HBO.com)

In recent years, autism has been the subject of heated discussions in the medical community and throughout the general public--not only because of the recent increase in reported cases, but also because of conflicting ideas on what causes the developmental disorder. Children who are diagnosed as autistic usually exhibit symptoms before the age of 3. However, autism is classified as a "spectrum disorder," meaning it affects individuals in a variety of ways and to differing degrees. As a broad generalization, autism affects an individual's ability to interact and communicate with others.

AUTISM: THE MUSICAL is only one of many recent documentaries to shine light on the little-understood disorder. As part of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd, Sundance Channel will be broadcasting AUTISM EVERY DAY. Screened at Sundance Film Festival last year, AUTISM EVERY DAY, follows parents as they make their way through the often difficult and complicated everyday tasks necessitated by the demands of raising their autistic child.


Many studies have shown the importance of early diagnosis and intervention to help autistic children work with their condition. To read more on autism and contribute to ongoing research, go to:

http://www.autism-society.org/site/PageServer?pagename=about_home