‘The Reason I Jump’: Seen Through the Eyes of a Critic and an Aspie

READ THE REST OF THIS REVIEW ON OUR WEBSITE: https://moviebabble.com/2021/01/08/the-reason-i-jump-seen-through-the-eyes-of-a-critic-and-an-aspie/

...

Let’s start with a little bit of explanation. I guess that most of you are unfamiliar with the word “aspie”. It’s shorthand for Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a neurological disorder. Nowadays, Asperger’s is no longer seen as a separate condition; it’s part of the autism spectrum. The correct term nowadays is ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. So, yes, I am autistic. But there is a difference between myself and the autistic kids in this documentary. They are non-verbal. I have never had a non-verbal episode, nor learning problems.

Because of the subject and my personal connection with it, my review this time consists of two parts. First, the critic in me will have a look at the movie. Afterward, the aspie in me will express her opinion and give some remarks. Does this documentary correctly explain what it is to be (non-verbal) autistic? Are there aspies with other characteristics? And, how this movie can be even better?

Me, The Critic

The Reason I Jump is based on a Japanese book with the same title. Naoki Higashida wrote it when he was only 13 years old. In it, he describes how his mind and senses work; how he experiences the world; how he had to deal with all the overwhelming information in his brain provided by his senses; why he behaves in a certain way; why he jumps. And finally, how he had to learn to express his feelings and thoughts in words. It is like he gives us a map of his brain. The book became a bestseller in Japan. In the meantime, it has been translated into English too.

Unfortunately, Naoki, who is now an adult, didn’t want to appear in the documentary. Director Jerry Rothwell came up with a creative solution though. Narrative passages from the book are accompanied by images of a young boy walking around in a magnificent landscape. Moreover, these passages are mixed with the everyday experiences of five non-verbal autistic kids from all over the world: Sierra Leone, the UK, the USA, and India. The reactions of the parents of these teens are included as well. There are moments when they feel helpless. And confused. But their kids also bring the best out of them. Every parent at some point arrives at a better understanding of their autistic child, and becomes an advocate for a better understanding of autism.

The Reason I Jump succeeds in showing us what goes on in the head of a non-verbal autistic teen. The movie goes beyond explanations by parents and researchers. Watching this documentary is an intense, immersive, almost overwhelming experience. And that is really a brilliant move by director Jerry Rothwell. Because this is exactly how we autistic people experience the outside world: it is very intense. Especially all the things that we hear and see.

Different cultures treat autistic people in different ways, yet they all have something in common. There are taboos surrounding non-verbal autism, based on a lack of understanding. Sierra Leone, for example, doesn’t show a lot of sympathy for autistic kids, who are seen as demons or witches. This also extends to the mothers of these children. Parents are even advised to abandon their children or to drown them in a river. I was totally unaware of this and was shocked when I saw this segment of the film.

All in all, The Reason I Jump gives a clear portrayal of non-verbal autistic teens and how their mind works. What difficulties and challenges they and their close relatives face daily. It provides the viewer with the knowledge that has been lacking so far. Moreover, it also shows that autism, notwithstanding the difficulties it entails, can be a joyful experience. I will explain this in the second part.