Wretches & Jabberers (2011) User Reviews

Inspiring Movie

[l-piotrowski · 7/10 · 9 April 2011]

This was a good documentary style type of movie about two men with autism who travel the world to show others that lack of verbal communication does not mean lack of intelligence.

The two men with autism (Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher) communicate primarily via their communication devices. They travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland to encourage others with autism to share their ideas and thoughts. It was moving to see them want to communicate but struggle to do so. It is encouraging to see them help others realize that they have important ideas to share even though they may not be able to speak well (or at all) verbally.

I recommend seeing this movie, though it is in very limited release, so those wishing to view it may have to wait for it to be released on DVD.

A Credit For All Partcomparing Families

[AJBZA · 10/10 · 18 August 2019]

I loved this. What a wonderful and poignant way to take an opportunity to teach in such a bold way.

I especially enjoyed the girl with the spoons. Most anyone would have written her off with frostiness. The "machines" for talking - I couldn't believe the clarified streams of thought coming from the very ones I'm sure are ignored daily.

Haven't seen this a while, I hope the kids are ok.

Touching movie based on fiction. Should be a mockumentary.

[mrgeil · 1/10 · 11 January 2016]

I will say the director did an amazing job with this mockumentary. I rated it as a Documentary though. It showcases two adults with autism as they travel the world finding other that use "Facilitated Communication" or FC or Rapid Prompting or whatever new name people have come up with so they can continue to sell this technique. I will say again as far as a movie goes. Great! Very moving, I cried a few times while watching it. I think it highlights some very important things that need to be dealt with in the adult autism community. Unfortunately touting this as saying that these guys and girls can talk is just a complete lie. There have been numerous studies since the 90's that have shown FC to be completely lead by the facilitators. It's very easy to fact check this movie. I will say Naoki actually seems to be independent, but again it's incredibly hard to know because of how they cut the footage. He might just be a child in need of some sensory regulation, but functions on a much higher level than the others. Also if you notice in all the footage his mother is not touching him at all as he is typing. They also make it a point to show him writing when completing homework, but again we don't know what level his homework is at.

Anyhow as I said, if you want to cry a little and understand some of the serious issues facing adults with autism like: funding, adult care, where they live, quality of life without someone to help them. Great watch. Do Not get suckered into them selling FC. The American Psychology Association doesn't accept it as a mode for communication, nor does American Speech–Language–Hearing Association.