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A mother tracks down the first person ever diagnosed with autism, now an elderly man living in rural Mississippi, to learn if his life story holds promise for her own autistic son. Her journey exposes a startling record of cruelty and kindness alike, framed by forces like race, money and privilege – but leads to hope that more communities are learning to have the backs of people on the spectrum.

How life turned out for the first child diagnosed with autism, and what acceptance means.
Autistic people across the spectrum discuss what it’s like to be autistic.
An autistic man’s community sets an all too rare example of acceptance.
Extras
The workplace is a challenging environment for many people on the spectrum.
Amy Gravino shares painful memories of bullying she endured for being different.
In the United States, getting an autism diagnosis can be difficult for children of color.
A trip to a cat shelter takes an unexpected turn for Mickey and his mother.
Jonah Lutz is an autistic man with profound challenges, and society tends to look away.
How life turned out for the first child diagnosed with autism, and what acceptance means.