The Reason I Jump is a documentary film that explores the experiences of non-verbal autistic individuals through the eyes of five young people, each with their own unique story to tell. The film is based on the bestselling book by Naoki Higashida, a non-verbal autistic man from Japan who was able to communicate his thoughts and experiences through writing.
The film shows how non-speaking autistic people experience the world around them and how they communicate in the absence of language. It also provides insight into the challenges faced by parents, caregivers, and educators in understanding and supporting non-verbal autistic individuals.
Throughout the documentary, the audience is transported into the minds of the non-speaking autistic individuals, through a combination of animation, atmospheric soundscapes, and first-person narration of their own experiences. The film is also interspersed with interviews from parents and caregivers as well as experts in the field of autism research, providing a broader context for the experiences shared by the film's subjects.
Ultimately, The Reason I Jump aims to challenge the notion that non-verbal autistic individuals are uncommunicative or incapable of expressing themselves. The film offers a glimpse into the complex inner lives of these individuals, highlighting their unique perspectives and experiences.