Loving Lampposts is a new documentary film by filmaker and autism parent Todd Drezner. Here’s a blurb from their website to give you an idea about the film:
What would you call a four year old who caresses all the lampposts in the park? Quirky? Unusual? Or sick?
Such labels are at the center of the debate about autism: is it a disease or a different way of being—or both? In Loving Lampposts, we witness this debate and meet the parents, doctors, therapists, and autistic people who are redefining autism at a moment when it’s better known than ever before. Motivated by his son’s diagnosis, filmmaker Todd Drezner explores the changing world of autism and learns the truth of the saying, “if you’ve met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.”
I put it on my Netflix list (you can too: link) right after reading the review on The Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism and the interview with the director on Neurotribes. Netflix doesn’t carry it yet, but with luck I may have a copy soon. One can purchase a copy as well.
If you are interested in what Todd Drezner has to say, he has the first in a series of articles up on the Huffington Post: Learning to Embrace Autism.
For more on what the film is about, here are a series of video clips the produces have made available:
Opening sequence with director Todd Drezner introducing autism spectrum disorder through his son, Sam
Loving Lampposts Clip#1 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Understanding autism through “Rain Man” and as described by author of “Unstrange Minds” Roy Richard Grinker
Loving Lampposts Clip #2 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Sharisa Kochmeister, autistic adult with a genius level IQ, and her father, Jay – “I don’t have a disease. I have a disability that causes unease…”
Loving Lampposts Clip #3 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Mothers Kristina Chew and Nadine Antonelli initially hoping to find a “fix” for their autistic children
Loving Lampposts Clip #4 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Simon Baron-Cohen, Director of the Autism Research Centre, explains definitions of autism and Asperger’s
Loving Lampposts Clip #5 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
About the anti-childhood vaccination movement featuring actress and mother, Jenny McCarthy
Loving Lampposts Clip #6 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Blogger, mother, and activist Kristina Chew shares the joy of watching her son ride a bike
Loving Lampposts Clip #7 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Autistic adult, Dora Raymaker, using a computer to talk, explains how autism affects her ability to communicate
Loving Lampposts Clip #8 from Cinema Libre Studio on Vimeo.
Dr. Paul Offit discusses his involvement in the vaccine industry and the MMR vaccination
Left Brain Right Brain 
Sounds likes a great movie looking forward to reviewing it.
This sounds like a wonderful documentary. Just saw “Wretches and Jabberers” and was blown away. “Loving Lampposts” sounds to be timely and impactful as well 🙂 Looking forward to its release!
I am so pleased that the direction of dialogue in the autism awareness community seems to be heading away from controversy and antagonism within itself…..and is charting a course for ALL THINGS POSITIVE. This is truly an amazing time we live in!
Kathleen
I have several problems with the film Wretches and Jabberers. It’s just that disingenuous bastard Biklen hiding behind yet another human shield.