Beyond the Cliff: Navigating Autistic Adulthood, a feature-length documentary, follows the stories of adults on the autism spectrum and explores the various challenges each face during their transitions in adulthood.

Why Make This Documentary?

The CDC currently estimates that 1 in 36 children born in the United States are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a number which continues to increase without even accounting for those who are mis-diagnosed, diagnosed in adulthood or those who have trouble accessing a diagnosis altogether.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that obligates elementary and secondary schools to offer services for children with disabilities. Though transition services are also required, the law stipulates that, although “educational services must be provided to students with disabilities who are in school until the age of 21… states can choose to limit or extend eligibility for kids who are 18 or older.” Many parents of children on the autism spectrum equate the drop in aid to “falling off the services cliff.”

Autism isn’t something one ages out of, so what does the future hold for this ever growing, often-underestimated population? Beyond the Cliff: Navigating Autistic Adulthood will explore the experiences, both struggles and successes, of diverse autistic adults throughout the U.S. as they traverse the intimidatingly complex healthcare system, find inclusive post-secondary education opportunities, secure meaningful employment, access accommodative housing, etc., all in a society that frequently neglects their neurological differences and needs. To accompany the footage that we, the filmmakers, capture, we will be giving our autistic participants cameras to catalog their journeys in their own words and glean personal insights into their perspectives about life.

Who and what determines success for these autistic people? How can we encourage and embolden individuals on the spectrum to thrive, and create opportunities and inclusive environments that enable them to hone their unique talents and insights? By exploring these questions, we can begin to discover ways to further inspire and support the incoming generations. We see this documentary as a catalyst that, with the involvement of a fully autistic advisory board, will spark a robust impact campaign attempting to bring together communities of stakeholders, engage people of all backgrounds in important conversations, create better access to services along with other initiatives that help foster true acceptance and inclusion.

The themes of Beyond the Cliff: Navigating Autistic Adulthood are universal, as every parent’s dream is to cultivate their child, instill in them proper values and lessons so that they live fulfilling lives.

“IT WOULD BEHOOVE THE UNITED STATES, A NATION THAT LEADS THE WORLD IN RESEARCH FUNDING, TO FOCUS ON WHAT AUTISTIC PEOPLE REALLY NEED: TO GET A JOB IF THEY ARE ABLE AND NOT TO LIVE IN POVERTY IF THEY CAN’T FIND ONE; TO AVOID DISCRIMINATION; TO RECEIVE AN ADEQUATE EDUCATION; TO LIVE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THEY CHOOSE; TO HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE HEALTH CARE; AND, FINALLY, TO BE FREE TO PURSUE FULFILLING PERSONAL LIVES.”
Eric Garcia (Author of “We Are Not Broken,” Autistic Self-Advocate)

Director’s Statement

My autistic younger brother David’s collegiate experience at Pace University in New York City was nothing short of stellar. Immersed in his favorite city in the world, he had found his rhythm – intellectual engagement and challenge with his academics, and steady social stimulation. He possessed a natural affability amongst students and professors. All of this made early March, 2019 a nerve-racking time for my family. After four quick years, David was on the verge of graduating, a mere three months away from being thrust out of his comfort zone in the abyss that is adulthood. 

With a goal of working abroad, David had been denied two work opportunities in Asia. Staying in New York would require finding an apartment, a roommate, a job and quickly developing the skills necessary for independent living, all without the support systems he’d been accustomed to. The last thing he wanted to do was to move back in with his parents in Los Angeles. The filmmaker in me recognized this was a critical juncture in David’s life, and had an immediate impulse to start filming him as an exploration of what the transition to adulthood is like for an autistic individual.

I quickly realized that David’s experience did not adequately represent the spectrum of the autistic population, and for the film to speak to larger issues facing the autistic community, it would be necessary to find other stories to follow. The shift to virtual gatherings amidst the pandemic afforded myself and our Producer, Karen S. Shapiro, the opportunity to attend webinar lectures, panel discussions and to connect with self-advocates across the country whom we’d almost certainly never meet otherwise.

I’ve learned much about the Neurodiversity movement, self-determination, diagnostic issues pertaining to race and gender identity, the concept of masking and the harm of using “low functioning” and “high functioning” labels, as well as the deep-rooted history of neurotypicals presuming or speaking for the neurodivergent community. What for me started as a mere exploration of my brother’s journey has turned into an opportunity to destigmatize, empower, compel and educate through inclusion of autistic voices in front of and behind the camera.

“THE WORLD NEEDS DIFFERENT KINDS OF MINDS TO WORK TOGETHER.”
Temple Grandin (Author, Autistic Self-Advocate)

Creative Team

Support

Beyond the Cliff: Navigating Autistic Adulthood is currently in the  development/pre-production phase. You can participate, support and contribute to the film in a several ways: