Film Aims to Educate Businesses, Community about Autism

A documentary that educates businesses about how to interact with individuals with autism was officially released today.

The film, "Make Friends with Autism," has several local ties. Certain scenes featuring were shot last June at SportsPlace in Fanwood; the director is Emmy-award winning producer Mary Olive Smith, the wife of Fanwood Memorial Library director Dan Weiss; and Children's Specialized Hospital autism educator and Scotch Plains resident Adrienne Robertiello was instrumental in developing the project.

The documentary, the first and only of its kind, is a joint effort between Children's Specialized Hospital and Kohl's Department Stores' Kohl's Cares for Kids program. Its goal is to help businesses understand autism and how to interact with people who have it, so that they don't misread a situation and ostracize the family or ask them to leave. It also provides tools to support positive community partnerships.

"As a parent of a child with autism, my family has unfortunately experienced seclusion from community activities and businesses because of a simple lack of education," Robertiello said. "This program provides important tools to help break down the barriers that prevent many people from living the full life to which all are entitled."

New Jersey has the highest autism rate in the country—the CDC reports that 1 in 94 children in NJ has autism. As the number continues to grow, more individuals with autism are seeking community inclusion and health care providers are encouraging families and patients to make community connections. "Make Friends with Autism" offers a bi-lingual (English-Spanish) multi-media approach that provides significant resources for businesses, recreation providers and families with children who have autism.

In addition to the documentary, "Make Friends with Autism" has a complete Web site featuring a variety of information about autism. To view the film and access those resources, go here.