How filmmaker parents learnt to love autism | Australian Story
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- Опубліковано 14 кві 2019
- Australian filmmaking "royalty" Jocelyn Moorhouse and PJ Hogan were riding high with the success of their films Proof and Muriel's Wedding and Hollywood was calling. But 18 years would pass before Moorhouse directed another film and it’s only years later that she would reveal publicly why.
Moorhouse and Hogan are the parents of four children, two of whom have severe autism - Lily and Jack. When their second child, Lily, was diagnosed, Moorhouse stepped away from a glittering career, devoting herself to Lily’s therapy. When their third child, Jack, was also diagnosed, she thought she would never direct again.
But in 2015, almost two decades after directing her last film, Moorhouse made a triumphant return with The Dressmaker.
Now Moorhouse and Hogan’s focus is on securing a future for Lily and Jack that allows their other children, Spike and Maddy, to pursue their dreams.
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Some 20 years with autistic and normal kids. I find that inability to understand the different child has handicap us more. Dealing with patience and softness is the key. I still talk with parents who are terrified to accept autism but you cannot escape from it. A very enriching documentation. I wish the best for the family.
Amazing people. Can I just say that Muriel (from Muriel's Wedding) strikes me as an autistic person. I'm autistic and I can't stress how much I can relate to her. Back in the 90s- 00s there was no chance of an autism diagnosis for any of us "high functioning" autistics. We were just classed as socially awkward losers and never got the help we needed and got outcast instead - it breaks my heart when Muriel says the line "I know I'm not normal.." I lived this as I tried my hardest to mask and fit in. Decades later I find out I'm not abnormal, I'm autistic, just as my own child was getting diagnosed. I had all the obvious signs and red flags as a child myself but that was the 80s/90s and since I could talk and did ok in School I was totally overlooked.
I'm an high functioning female autistic adult based in Australia. I liked the quote in the program about in life being thrown curve balls. I feel like that as a austistic adult that is your life, constantly. There is very little understanding and acceptance as of yet for those in the autistic community we still have a long ways to go. I was diagnosed in my early thirties with asperger's syndrome. Some of the language used by the family in the program was very negative and was hard to hear as someone on spectrum. Language is very strong and can be used for good or ill and all I would say is consider what it's like for others on the spectrum to hear what is being said about autism.
That being said I do wish the family all the best.
In saying this a below conversation articulates my feelings much more succinctly. Thanks
A few questions and comments.....
1. What does high functioning mean exactly? I'm sure there are different variations of it (perhaps there isn't) but what does it mean for you in comparison to a regular person?
2. Were you always on the spectrum and later your diagnosis put a name to your condition or did just happen later in life?
3. I'm curious what language in this story you didn't like?
4. If there was a magic pill, would you take it? I'm guessing that's a tough one to answer. If you've always been autistic then you don't know any different why would you think a pill might 'improve' you when you don't really recognise what that means.
Or do you?
@@justinm2697 Hi Justin, Thank you for your comment and questions. High functioning although some autistic people don't like it means to me that l have no cognitive impairment intellectually, I went to university and school etc and can do most other elements like live independently, work. It is to differentiate myself in that way. But l will say there is a spectrum and no two people are the same. I will say I believe autistic people's brains are wired differently. Not wrongly. We think differently etc. Outside the box as it were.
I'm not sure with autism how it manifests itself in that l still think they are researching. I think autism wasn't talked about only in probably last decade so people like me who are older slipped through the cracks as it were. I think it's there but for me it wasn't even on people's radars until much more recently. I'm the one who found out about autism and after reading other women's stories on the spectrum it just made sense and was an ah ha moment and things fell into place and l got officially diagnosed.
No I wouldn't take a magic pill. As hard as it can be sometimes I feel in time acceptance and inclusion will change that feeling and society. For me l don't want to be cured l feel that I'm different not less in some way. Society has to catch up to the idea and do lots more research too.
The language in the story and l acknowledge the parents and their experience is different and they are parents of autistic children but it's the language like when the mother found out she had a son on the spectrum she was like oh no not another one.... and that that the dad would shove a pill down their throats to cure them. It's confronting to hear. I bare them no ill will. You must understand the main stuff you read and hear about autism is negative and can be wrong ie like being a burden,stereotypes,lack of empathy etc and written by those not on the spectrum. Some stuff that is written clearly doesn't factor in that others on the spectrum can understand and can be hurt by it. For example anti vaxxers to name one very obvious group. I do also acknowledge that everyone has their opinion. But l would say it is probably the hardest part of my journey to accept. I hope that helped and appreciate the chat. Sorry l wrote a short novel lol
Amazing people are amazing people no matter what they do, putting love into every sphere of life is truly what life is all about. Your movies are my favourite movies of all time yet here I am in awe of your real story, the story of your life - thanks for sharing this personal story with us ❤
The gift of parents is immeasurable.
My beautiful son is almost three and is autistic, though reasonably high functioning and not yet officially diagnosed (not for lack of trying, the waiting lists to see specialists are long in rural Australia). He has a speech delay and he stims (hand flapping in his case) probably 20 times every day but i too have come to love his autistic quirks. With a lot of repetition in games and a lot of effort his speech is finally starting to come along and with every new word or even attempt at saying a new word I feel so incredibly proud of him. Seeing another mother of an autistic child being able to help her children learn to speak and reach milestones is really encouraging for me, thank you.
this is such a moving episode. those parents have shown how devastating and demanding autism is. that they are batting on with their four kids, is wonderful & inspiring. I wish them lots of kindness & support for all their futures.
Jocelyn and PJ are wonderful filmmakers. And pretty darn nice people. The children are beautiful. P.j. said his dad was disappointed in his children. I think parents like that are often disappointed in themselves. Jocelyn, you have had two successful careers. Films and most of all, your children. "The Dressmaker was such a heartfelt movie. I rewatch it frequently. MAKE MORE MOVIES, please??
What a wonderful story. I have 2 grandchildren with autism, both are high functioning so they’re both different. The hardest thing for me to do is to accept that they will do things differently and in their own time. but as long as they are happy and able to support themselves throughlife then I will be happy for them. It is hard to let go of the dreams that you have for them. I am currently trying to encourage my granddaughter to learn to drive. If she manages to do that it will be a huge asset for her future. I still hope and pray that she will be able to hold a job. She does volunteer work so it is possible.
Jocelyn and PJ are so relatable. What a learning experience watching this. A beautiful family, thank you
I love this beautiful woman and her husband - their brilliant. They have such a beautiful family. Thank you so much for ‘Muriel’s Wedding’ and ‘The Dressmaker’ - two of my favourite movies.....
My wife Flor was a nanny when they lived in Santa Monica. Beautiful family.
That's a strong, beautiful family!
Hi Jocelyn and PJ I hope all of you are well and happy. I miss Flor so very much, thank you for being so good to my Flora. Love, Rich
"Cracking onto her" Simple phrases like that make me proud to be Australian.
What an amazing family.
I love this amazing family. Inspirational.
Amazing, loving real family.
Profoundly inspiring. Thank you.
What a gorgeous couple. I loved Les Norton and the dress maker. Love from Ireland
What a wonderful family
Wonderful! My Grandson has ASD and he’s 16 now. We had the non verbal etc screaming ab dabs as we called them the hell at school etc. He’s doing good but needs handling careful. My daughter now works with autistic people she’s obviously very good at it lol
incredible humans.
I hope one day there is a magic pill.
Justin M How dare you? You should be ashamed of yourself.🧐
Is there such a word as learnt?😳
respect
great people but women arent degined to have babies into their forties..
Being in your 40's and having babies has nothing to do with it..Your comment shows your ignorance.
Donna Amanda Jackson , ignorance is bliss that's what i can tell about you.
Jocelyn didn't have Lilly in her forties. She had Maddie (who is neurotypical) in her forties
My beautiful son is almost three and is autistic, though reasonably high functioning and not yet officially diagnosed (not for lack of trying, the waiting lists to see specialists are long in rural Australia). He has a speech delay and he stims (hand flapping in his case) probably 20 times every day but i too have come to love his autistic quirks. With a lot of repetition in games and a lot of effort his speech is finally starting to come along and with every new word or even attempt at saying a new word I feel so incredibly proud of him. Seeing another mother of an autistic child being able to help her children learn to speak and reach milestones is really encouraging for me, thank you.