The Cinematheque

When their son Oskar is diagnosed with severe autism at the age of two, parents Carly and Stef are not completely unprepared. Their older son, Ted, had been diagnosed with (less severe) ASD eight years previously, but Oskar’s situation soon turns out to be different. When ABA/IBI (the most common and generally accepted treatment for autism) doesn’t seem to have the same positive effect on Oskar it did on Ted, Carly and Stef determine that they won’t try to get eliminate Oskar’s ​“undesirable” behaviours but instead try to understand them and how he experiences the world. Taking a year off to focus on Oskar, Carly and Stef explore a wide range of therapies and treatments while always in the back of their minds remains the question: ​“Where does the autism end and Oskar begin—or is the autism a fundamental part of who he is?”

Post-screening discussion with Dr. Suzanne Lewis, Chief Medical Officer and V.P. of Research at the Pacific Autism Family Network.

Moderated by Dr. Harry Karlinsky, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia.