Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back

Plot

Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back covers four children who the Autism Society says recovered from autism. Each child received services from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders Inc. (CARD), including assessments, supervision, parent/teacher training and one-on-one behavioral therapy. The film presents documentation of therapy sessions along with interviews of the children who are now teenagers, their parents, therapists and the founder/executive director of CARD.

Production

Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back began production in 1993 when Doreen Granpeesheh videotaped some of the children receiving treatment at CARD. In 2003 Dr. Granpeesheh re-established contact with the families and over the next few years Michele Jaquis conducted and recorded interviews with those willing to participate in the project. According to Granpeesheh's statement, six of the ten children that had been videotaped were located, five of them had recovered and four agreed to be in the film. The final cut, sound mix and 2 disk DVD set was completed in spring 2008. Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back includes an original score by Jeremy Quinn and Michael Feldman, with songs by Nine More Lies and H. Hanson.

Distribution

Currently, Recovered is being self distributed through its website. The two disk DVD set includes a resource booklet and over 60 minutes of special features.

Reception

Since its premiere, Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back has continued to be screened across the United States at various autism-related events, including the 3rd and 4th Annual Back to School Autism/Asperger's Conferences in Pasadena, CA (Aug. 08 and Aug. 09); the 2008 Defeat Autism Now! conference in San Diego, CA; the 2008 National Autism Association Conference in Weston, FL; and the 3rd Annual Anaheim Autism/Asperger’s Conference in Anaheim, CA. In addition Recovered won Best Documentary in the 2008 Director's Chair Film Festival in Staten Island, NY and was an official selection in the 2008 Victoria Independent Film Festival in Sebastapol, Australia and the 2009 ReelHeART International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.