Since 1930, Disney movies have been known for encouraging imagination and instilling good values to children and children at heart. But to autistic Owen Suskind, a Disney film is more than just a creativity booster or valuable entertainment. It’s actually his cinematic manual to decipher the world; his cinematic compass to navigate life.  

    It’s not every day that people get to see a documentary that attempts to document the extraordinary. Joining several other titles nominated for Best Documentary (Feature), Life, Animated aspired to touch a theme that is not commonly discussed out loud: Autism.

    The documentary follows the journey of Owen Suskind—an autistic millennial who strived creatively to understand life. As the director smoothly weaved Owen’s milestones—from his childhood struggles to his new challenges as a young adult, a seamless, better-than-Disney film emerges from the screen.    

      Unable to speak as a child, the world of Owen's family fell apart. Their frustration deepened when Owen was diagnosed with autism. At first, it was a great struggle for all of them to connection with each other. But eventually, by their efforts, Owen and his family found a way to bridge their gap. Not giving up on each other paid off.

      Owen’s obsession with Disney films has been a great starting point for his parents to understand him. While the doctor interpreted Owen’s way of saying a script from The Little Mermaid as echolalia, his parents have seen this as his attempt to communicate and express. For the first time, Owen was able to look directly at his parents’ eyes when they said the phrase from the movie.

        For the first time, they understood each other. Who could have imagined that a single line from a Disney film could connect people from opposite worlds?

       Experts say that autistic people have at least one affinity. This certain affinity, viewed as “non-productive obsession” by many, can actually help an autistic individual grow both personally and socially. In Owen’s case, his strong liking to Disney films helped him understand the world. It also inspired him to start his own Disney club, where he met his girlfriend. The club was also able to help other individuals with special needs who share the interest.
       
​         Life, Animated is a heartfelt experience as spectators feel what it’s like to see through the eyes of Owen Suskind. His journey is an inspirational proof of perseverance, acceptance, understanding, and being proud of one’s uniqueness.

Have you ever felt unappreciated when you called your child but he/she didn’t look at you? As much as you want to make your little angel feel loved, the response you get from him/her makes you feel that there is a disconnection between the both of you.

As a parent, it may seem frustrating to see your child like this. You may also feel as if you cannot do something to make him understand what is happening around him. But believe me when I say that you can! There is a way! In fact, a lot of ways!

It’s never too late for parents to build happy and healthy relationships with their children with special needs. Don’t know where to start? Here are some things you can consider in establishing a connection with your child:

1. Make time – Time is an important element in a man’s life. We can never reverse the clock and bring back what has gone. This is why parents should spend time with their children while they are still young. Spend at least 3-4 hours per day to bond with your child. Build a connection by playing with your kid. Join him/her in things he/she loves doing. Frequently call your child by his/her name. Always remember to make your child feel important.

2.Observe your child - Discover what makes your child happy and what makes him do unnecessary behaviors. List every possible thing that catches his/her attention, even those that frustrates him/her. Take note of your child’s reaction on different situations. With this, you will understand your child better. Look for possible ways on how you can make your presence be felt. For instance, instead of letting your child watch nursery videos, you can try being animated by imitating his/her favorite characters. You can also sing his/her favorite nursery songs.

3. Ask for support – Do a research. Watch videos. Read books, articles and documents about children with special needs. Seek support. There are different organizations and professionals who can enlighten and help you cope with your situation. Also, look for a support group. Always remember that you are not alone. There are parents like you who are doing everything for their child. With their experience and insights, they can help you understand and strengthen your relationship with your child, as well as share with you tips on how to manage your child when he/she is exhibiting disruptive behaviors. But the best way to handle your child is to just allow your love to calm the storm. Let your love transcend in your child. Nothing beats love.

4. Appreciate the small victories - Sometimes, when you get blinded by the negative things that your child is doing, you feel hopeless and frustrated. But don’t forget to focus on the good things. Appreciate even the smallest achievements of your child. When he smiles at you or hug you spontaneously, when he look into your eyes even just for a second or when he sits down properly – these are some of the things you should be thankful for. Have a positive attitude and you will live a happy life with your child.
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5. Celebrate your child’s uniqueness – Do not compare your child to others. There is something in your child that makes him/her uniquely wonderful and amazing. Acceptance is what he/she needs. Your child is awesome and capable of doing great things – celebrate life together!
 

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Founded in 2013, Puzzle Café is a dream turned into reality for José Canoy and his family. Like other families, the Canoy family was also anxious about José's future. They worried about how the society would treat him and how he would cope with life's challenges because of his special needs.
Ms. Ysabella Canoy, the general manager and sister of José, always had the passion for serving children with special needs. She encouraged the whole family to work together towards the security of José's future hence Puzzle Café was built.
The Unboxed Team was blessed to have the opportunity to meet Ms. Ysabella and experience the "heaven-on-earth" ambience of the café. The place gives people feelings of happiness, security, fulfillment and most of all: HOPE -- just how exactly the Canoy family envisioned it to be.
 
How did you come up with the idea of building this café?
Y: This café was initially for José. It was our dream for him. We hired an interior designer to help us put our concepts into reality. We also used various social media accounts to help it get known.
 
Why was it named Puzzle Café?
Y: José named it! José loves puzzles!
 
What were the struggles that you encountered when the Puzzle was newly built?
Y: Every member of the family must really contribute. Close relationship is very important: parents and siblings involvement. Amidst the struggles and misunderstandings, José brought us together. We see him as a blessing.
 
How did you begin outsourcing employees particularly those with special needs?
Y: We opened the café not only to children with autism but also to others with special needs. We didn't want to turn anyone away. But more than the age, it's the readiness that we should consider.
 
What are the requirements to be accepted as a trainee?
 Y: They have to be in school (with program). There will also be assessment of skills, follow-up with parents, and partnership with schools (for simulation). If they will be regularized, their salary will be PHP 50/hour.

What is the cafe's mission?
Y: The mission changes constantly: "Do not be driven by money or popularity."
 
How to do you overcome challenges?
Y: Remember that they are relying on you not to give up on them, they need people to believe in them.
 
What is your plan in the next 5 years for the cafe? Are you planning to open it for franchising?
Y: I don't like to make it profit-driven. I don't like to open it for franchise/branch because Jose is no longer there-- my passion is not there. Also, our plan is to help the future generations of children with special needs.
 
What is your message for Jose?
Y: I will always respect your likes and dislikes. I'm extremely proud of you and I believe in you.
 
What is your advice for people in line with our profession and others who help special children?
Y: At the end of the day...

​                                                     Always do all things with love.

​Very few movies portray autism in such realism and humane approach as in Rain Man, Mary and Max, and Adam.  Most carry the stories dealing with high-functioning autism called Asperger’s Syndrome. In an attempt to introduce her audience to another side of the autism spectrum, Janet Grillo, a mother of an autistic child herself, came up with a poignant and beautiful piece called Jack of the Red Hearts.  The movie was able to draw attention to the usually overlooked subject and break the notion that all autistic children are idiot savants. 
 
Jack of the Red Hearts looks into the life of a giddy, street smart teenager named Jack, as her life reels around the lives of family slowly being broken by a sweet child with special needs.   In her desperation to raise money and gain custody of her younger sister, Jack assumed a different identity and took the caregiving job for a severely autistic child named Glory.  Donna, the caregiver, is a blessing to the family who because of the burden of raising a special child is almost in the brink of breaking up.  Jack (aka Donna) finds herself in the midst of chaos in dealing and caring for Glory. 
 
What makes the film different and commendable is the honesty of its depiction. First, it allows the audience to visualize the sensorial experience of someone who has autism--the rainbow seen through the crystal globe with the intensity of thought perceived through high places. Secondly, it shows us the challenges of non-verbal communication. Glory oftentimes expressed her anger through aggressive behaviors and often messy. Lastly, to stretch its narrative, several storylines intertwine lives of major characters that are affected either positively or negatively by Glory.
 
The film’s strength is the encapsulation of the real struggles and fulfillment of raising someone who has autism.  It caresses the sanity of living with and the beauty of coping with autism by the child herself and people around her. 
 
Jack of the Red Hearts is an empathetic, authentic, heartwarming, and feel-good family movie that holds the audience’s hand as they view the beauty of autism.  The movie is a gentle reminder that in a world of autistic people, patience, understanding, and faith always pays off.
 

The following artworks were done with love by our kids in SMLC.
​We would like to share them with you.