Autism has been gaining increasing ground on the national research and media front, but there hasn’t been much of an African American presence in the discussion from what I’ve seen. Recognizing that gap, filmmaker Charles Jones produced a documentary entitled “Autistic Like Me” which tells his and five other father’s stories of coming to terms with and understanding that their child is autistic.

“There are many men walking around silently suffering as I once did. The film and this movement gives a voice to those men. Our children need this voice,” Jones told Shadow and Act.

Check out the trailer of for the film below and Jones’ explanation for why he made the film and tell us what you think? Do you know many African American parents who are struggling with autistic children?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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