Son-Rise: A Miracle of Love (1979) - full transcript

♪ There's love
hidden deep ♪

♪ in the warmth
of your eyes ♪

♪ I wish I could know

♪ what you see

♪ do you paint
your rainbows ♪

♪ with colors anew?

♪ Must you be
so unmoved? ♪

♪ Is there room
in your world ♪

♪ for me?

♪ Are there feelings
worth showing? ♪

♪ Are there secrets
worth knowing? ♪



♪ Will the miracle
of love ♪

♪ set you free?

♪ Is there room
in your world ♪

♪ for me?

♪ I'll wait
by the window ♪

♪ with my only dream

♪ and long for the day

♪ where there'll be

♪ the sound
of your laughter ♪

♪ the gift
of your touch ♪

♪ I love you so much

♪ is there room
in your world ♪

♪ for me?

Man:
His name is raun--
raun Kaufman.



He's my son,

and this is his story.

It's a true story,
and it begins as all stories--

at birth.

Five years ago
and what seemed like
another lifetime,

this was my office
where I did advertising
campaigns for movies.

Most of the time it
was challenging and creative

- as it was that day...
- What is it?

...the day raun
was born.

Suzi's having
contractions!

[ Gasps ]
Oh god.

- Uh, Jeanette--?
- Here it is.

- I called the garage.
They're getting your car out.
- You are a great woman.

- Man: Barry!
- What?

- Luck luck!
- Lots of it.

[ Horn honks ]

- Huh-uh.
This one's on the house.
- Aw, thanks, Larry!

Good luck.

- Woman: Okay, suzi.
- [ Breathing ]

Now take a deep breath.

Okay, let it out.

Suzi:
They're closer together.

- Where's--
- your husband's
on his way.

Mr. Kaufman, hurry!

- How-- how--
- it's okay. It's okay.
She's fine.

- Good.
- Get in there.

Good!
Good, suzi.

Okay, now deep
breathing, all right?

And one two
three four...

[ Singing ]
♪ one two three four

♪ one two
three four ♪

♪ one two three four

♪ one two
three four ♪

- Hi, Barry.
- Hiya, doc.

- Oh, bears, I was afraid
you'd be late.
- Not a chance.

Just follow the music.

Oh, I love
his singing.

Well, of course.
Birth is a joy.

That's why I became
an obstetrician.

Can you imagine
a proctologist singing?

[ Vocalizing ]

Suze, three and four.

One two three.

- One two three four.
- [ Doctor continues
vocalizing ]

[ Singing opera ]

Barry:
Push, honey, push.

- Pant, honey, pant.
- [ Panting ]

Okay, babe, here we go.
Push!

- [ Grunting ]
- A little more, honey.

Come on. Yeah.

One more time.

That's it, suzi.
Oh my god. It's coming.

[ Suzi shouts ]
Oh, babe.

[ Baby crying ]

Baby!

Like all miracles,
perfect.

- Suzi: A boy.
- A perfect baby boy.

Doctor:
A perfect baby boy.

[ Laughing, shouting ]

[ Raun crying ]

Girl:
There's mommy with raun!

Barry:
Our two daughters
are Bryn and thea.

Mommy, why does
raun cry so much?

Suzi:
Oh, I don't know, baby.
I guess because he's restless.

Poor baby.

Barry:
Bryn at seven already
feels motherly...

He's noisy.

...and thea
at four and a half...

He's very noisy.

...is fully prepared
to speak her mind.

Nancy's 16.

Originally, she came to US
as a mother's helper

from an unhappy home.

Now she lives with US
and she's a part
of our family

for as long
as she needs US.

And like all of US,
she's worried about raun.

Let me hold
that little guy, suzi.

Oh, come on, raunchie.

What did
the pediatrician say?

Well, he changed
the formula again.

Said it was colic again.

- Well, maybe he'll be
better this time.
- Yeah.

- Barry: It wasn't.
- [ Crying continues ]

He had two ear infections,
then became severely
dehydrated.

Our little boy
almost died.

Raun's retaining
some fluids now,

but he's
still dehydrated.

As for the ear infection,
we'll just have to let
it run its course.

- Is he dying?
- No, he's fighting.

And I think
he's winning, but...

Well, both his
eardrums have burst.

I think you should
both be prepared.

He may be deaf.

Barry:
He recovered.

He didn't seem deaf.
We weren't sure,

but the important thing is
raun was back with US.

We all gathered
for raun's birthday party--

me, suzi, Nancy,
the girls,

my father
and stepmother.

Pop was recording it all
for history.

Suzi:
Look at that, raun.
There's your birthday cake.

[ Camera shutter clicks ]

Stepmother:
Oh, that's a beautiful
shot.

♪ Happy birthday to you

♪ happy birthday
to you ♪

♪ happy birthday,
dear raunchie ♪

♪ happy birthday

♪ to you.

[ Clapping ]

Hey, raun, birthday boy.

Suzi:
Look at the cake,

and then what do you do?
Raun?

Blow out the candles.

[ Both blowing ]

Barry:
Suzi and I were concerned.

He blanked out sometimes.

As if...

As if nobody else existed
for him,

but then he'd come back
to US like a night rider.

The doctors kept telling US
he'd outgrow whatever it was,

so we listened,

at least for now,
and watched

and waited.

Raun!

Nancy: Raun!

He heard me when
I came out here before.

- I was talking to him.
I know he heard me.
- Barry: Raun!

- Nancy: Raun.
- Stepmother: Baby, what's
the matter, honey, huh?

Sweetheart, raun?

Barry: Raun!

I gotta tell you, Barry-o,
it's a knockout.

- Thanks, Grady.
- Your husband is outrageously
expensive, suzi.

Yeah, but he's so good,
he's a bargain, right?

He gives the picture
a really classy look.

I'm very proud
of this campaign, Barry.

Thanks, Grady. What did
you think of the film?

It'll make money.
That's the big answer.

Well, that's the big
answer, Barry-o.

Yeah, but what's
the big question, huh?

You know, it really
is a terrific poster.

Maybe we should distribute
the advertising campaign

and just forget
the film.

Maybe we should just
forget the party

and the screening
and go home.

That's a great idea.
Come on.

- Hey!
- I gotta run, Grady.
Got a hot call from coppola.

Yeah, he's got redford,
Newman, Hoffman
and Streisand.

And a big cameo
for Gary Cooper.

He's dead!

That's why we
gotta hurry.

[ Thumping sound ]

[ Thumping continues ]

Raunchie.

Sweet baby.

Raun, we're here
with you.

Baby.

Sweetheart.

I suppose they'll say that
this is just a normal phase

that he'll grow out of.

Well, I don't buy it.

We've been through
chickenpox, measles,

strep throat
with the girls.

This just
doesn't feel right.

All right,
we'll take him

for a complete series
of tests tomorrow.

We'll take him
to children's hospital.

[ Electronic tones playing ]

Well?

Your son
does not hear.

Maybe he's too young
to understand the test.

There are
involuntary reactions

to sound:

Pupils, eyelids,
the skin.

Now with your son,
there weren't any.

But he does
respond to sound.

I know he hears
sometimes.

Now I won't argue
with you, Mrs. Kaufman,

but right now,
here today,

your son does not hear.

[ Sings tones ]
♪ da da da.

Mommy, are you a sculptor
or a sculptress?

Well, I guess
I'm neither one.
I'm just me.

Raunchie, do you like
spinning the plate,

watching it spin?

Would you look at me
if I took it away?

He's inside
of his head, mommy.

Barry:
I had to find out what
was wrong with my son.

It would take
research, digging,

probing, reading,

searching for answers.

Hiya.

Hi, Barry,
sorry to disturb you.

Oh, that's all right.
What's up?

Daddy, I'm gonna
sleep over

at joanie's house,
remember?

Of course I remember,
of course.

I'll bring her back
tomorrow.

- Why can't I ever
have a sleepover?
- Oh!

When you're
a little more grown up.
Goodbye, daddy.

Goodbye, honey.
You have a good time.

- Okay, bye.
- Bye, sweetheart.

Barry, how's it going
with raun?

[ Sighs ]

Sometimes I feel
he's just...

Slipping away.

Raun, you can hear,
but only sometimes.

You can see,
but only certain things.

Nothing else.

Raunchie...

Where are you?

Where do you go?

Where?

Suze, I think
I've found something.

- What?
- I'm not sure.
I picked this up

from the university
medical library.
Who does this sound like?

"Antisocial and aloof patterns
of activity;

no verbal communication;

appears blind
and deaf at times;

hypnotic preoccupation

with spinning,
rocking

and repetitive movements;

the appearance
of looking through people."

What are you saying?

Autism.

All the descriptions fit.

Brain damage?

Is that what you mean?

I mean all the descriptions
fit raun as an autistic child.

No no.

You're just guessing,
Barry.

[ Plate rattles ]

[ Sighs ]

Autism, autistic...

What does that mean?

He's alone
in his own world.

- I know that.
- Suze, I mean literally
in his own world.

He can't handle
the input from ours--

all the colors,
movements, sounds--
so he's blanked it out.

In raun's world,
the only living
creature is raun.

But he knows me, US.

Suze, in his world,
we're just objects.

He literally doesn't
know we're alive.

But we feed him.

We take care of him.
Love him.

Food comes from you
or it comes from
a refrigerator.

He rocks in my arms
or in a crib.

It doesn't make any
difference. He can't
tell the difference.

He hears sounds,

engines, music,

people talking,
dogs barking.

It's all the same.
He can't tell
the difference.

Okay, so what else
does the book say?

Barry, I want to know.

"Infantile autism...

Considered the most
irreversible

of the profoundly disturbed
and psychotic."

Another book called it
a brain disorder

where thinking and perception
never come together.

Okay.

But we don't really know
that he's autistic.

No, but we
have to find out.

Woman:
Yes, he's a classic
case of autism.

Suzi:
But why raun?

We don't have
any explanations

as to why this happens
to one child and not another.

What we do have
is a diagnostic list

of autistic behaviors.

And raun exhibits 12 out

of the 13 key actions.

I don't think we've ever
had a positive diagnosis

of autism
in a child so young.
It's remarkable.

Is there
any treatment?

Oh, a complex
of treatments.

There's workshops
and therapy sessions

and modification
techniques.

It's a long,
difficult process.

Well, when do we
start, doctor?

Oh, but we don't take
children until they're

at least three years old
and toilet trained.

But by then raun will be
10 times harder to reach.

Mrs. Kaufman,
he is already

almost impossible to reach

and that will not change.

There would be no difference
if we were to begin now

or two years from now.

At best,

raun will learn
a few minimal tasks,

if you're lucky.

Wait a minute,
wait a minute,
Dr. Field.

Are you saying that
autism is not curable?

It-it's not treatable?

I'm saying that we can't
offer you much hope.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I'm sorry.

[ Panting ]

I hate that label,

"autistic child"--

classifying him,
putting him in a box

and slamming
the lid down.

Raun isn't in a prison.

He's at peace inside
that world of his.

We just have to show him
a way out.

Sometimes when i'm
with him...

It's like trying
to find someone in a...

A funhouse mirror maze.

I see him.

I try to touch him.

But it's just a reflection.

My hand doesn't reach him.

But I know he's
in there somewhere.

But how do you reach
through the glass

without shattering it?

There aren't
any quick answers.

I'm not looking
for a miracle.

Just a beginning.

Just a place to start.

So I've asked Dr. Ramsay
to sit in on this one.

He's our chief of
psychiatric services

with a specialty
in pediatrics.

Thank you.

Now we would like
to examine the boy alone,
if you don't mind.

Uh, uh, excu--

- Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman.
- Yes.

Hi, I'm Ms. Marcum,

and I'll be
the social worker
assigned to your case.

- Won't you sit down?
- Thank you.

Well, you know how it is.
Always forms to fill out.

Now father's name?

Barry Neil Kaufman.

- Place of birth?
- New York City.

Father's name,
mother's maiden name?

Ms. Marcum,
we've done this.
We've filled out forms.

What does this
have to do with raun?

Well, I don't
decide that, Mrs. Kaufman,

but we do require
this information.

My father s name
is Abe. Abraham.

Did either of your
parents have a history
of mental illness?

- No.
- Has either of you had
a nervous breakdown?

No, but give US
a few minutes.

How did you meet?

In the beginning?

Yes, we'd like a--
well, a profile of
your courtship,

marriage,
that sort of thing.

Well, a friend
introduced US.

I was nervous.

I was 17.

As opposed to me,
a sophisticated man
of the world.

After our first date,

I couldn't stop thinking
about him.

I had this sense
of inevitability.

It was silly.

But I put it down
on paper.

I wrote it down
in a letter.

"I don't know why,

but I have this feeling that
I'm gonna marry you,

and I'm not
all that sure

that I'm delighted
about the idea."

- What a cunning ploy.
- It was not!

It was too,
and it worked.

In a way.

My god,
I was terrified.

And I told you,
"you can't marry me.

I don't know who I am yet.
I'm angry.

I'm egotistical.
I'm complicated.
I'm trouble!

- You don't want
to get involved with me."
- Right.

- But then what happened?
- What do you think?

He kept telling me
what a lousy risk he was

until I married him
and found out he was right.

He's arrogant,
egotistical, troublesome.

But a fantastic lover.

And we lived
interestingly

- ever after.
- Yeah.

Okay?

Yes, there'll be just
a few more questions.

- "Autistic. No eye--"
- [ Knocks ]

"No eye contact.

Language and socialization
skills: Infantile."

Your son functions
at less than one-third
his age level.

We set his IQ
at below 30.

Barry: Okay.

But can you help him
in your program?

Not a child this young.

Perhaps in a year,
year and a half.

But why not try now?
If we could just make contact.

Mrs. Kaufman, at best

raun will only
function minimally.

He probably
will never talk.

To hope for more is
destructive fantasizing.

Accept the truth.

Perhaps later we can talk
about placing him

- in a facility.
- Facility?

You mean an institution?

A psychiatric prison.

That's very melodramatic,
Mr. Kaufman.

That's very clinical,
Dr. Wills, and that's
the problem here.

You're discussing
an intriguing case
of infantile autism.

I'm talking
about our son.

Mrs. Kaufman,
surely you can't agree
with this attitude.

No, Dr. Ramsey,
I don't.

I think that my husband
was unforgivably polite.

Ooh, I hate them.
I really do.

So cold and unfeeling.

I just can't stand it.
[ Screams ]

Feel better?

Not yet.

I just need
something different.

I need something
to warm my soul.

Coming up.

This is really crazy.

We've just been told
our son's a basket case

and we're sitting here
drinking champagne.

Isn't it better than getting
angry or feeling guilty

or asking why
this is happening?

Bears, it is happening.

Yeah, but it's happening
to US now.

Suze, can you--

can you imagine trying
to cope with this seven
or eight years ago?

I don't even want
to think about it.

We're different
people now.

We've chosen to live
a certain way, with love.

And acceptance.

We can deal
with this now.

I know.

And remember, we've just
started to ask for help.

We'll make lists.
We'll check out every
possibility.

Somebody's gotta
have some answers.

Answers.

Suzi:
Yes, I see.

And where is it
in Baltimore exactly?

Uh-huh.

Could you give me that
address just one more
time, I'm sorry.

Uh-huh.

"1806." yes.

Thank you. Thank you.
I got that.

[ Whispers ]
Hi, honey.

And I would appreciate
anything you could
send me

specifically
on autistic children.

Yes yes, I've got it.

Thank you. Bye-bye.

Mommy, what did
dody's mother mean

when she said raun
was a tragedy?

Well, I guess that
raun's different

from other children,

and she thought
that was bad.

Sometimes when people talk
about a situation

that they'd feel bad about
if it ever happened to them,

they call that a tragedy.

Do you think it's
bad or sad

that your
brother's different?

No.

I mean, is it that
he can't talk?

It's hard for him.

Suzi:
That's right.

Raun's just sort of lost.

He's inside himself.

I guess because
that's where he feels
most comfortable.

Is he sick?

No, we don't like
to think of him as sick.

He just
sort of has a lot

of trouble
understanding things.

When will he get better?

I don't know.
That's the truth, Bryn.

We're gonna try to help him,
to reach him.

We're gonna try.

Can I help?

Oh, baby.

You know
you're already helping.

[ Knock on door ]

Will you get that,
honey?

- [ Squeals ]
- Hiya, pumpkin.

Hey, what are you doing
home so early?

I wasn't doing much good
at the office so I hit
a few libraries-- research.

Hiya.

Daddy, daddy, daddy!

Ooh, that's pretty.

That's real pretty.

Hi, raun.

This is your
father speaking.

How's it going?

Oh, terrific.

There's a place
that has

sensory stimulation
and patterning in Baltimore.

And then in the midwest,
there's a clinic that works

almost entirely
with autistic children,

and I didn't get through
to the institute
in San Francisco.

- Why not?
- The line was busy.

I'll get to it.

Barry:
Look at him.

Serene.

I wonder what's in his
world that's so much more
fascinating than ours.

Maybe someday
he'll tell US.

[ Banging continues ]

If I can just get
through to him,

just once make contact.

What about
the fredericks clinic,

did you make the appointment
with Dr. Danner?

I forgot all about it.
I was so busy talking
to Baltimore.

Suze, you know
every lead is crucial.

I know that.

Well, maybe you
should make a list.

Barry, I don't need
to make a list.

It's important, suze.
You read the article
on Dr. Danner.

I know how important
it is, Barry.

I know just how
important it is.

Now stop pushing at me.
Just stop pushing!

Okay, what is it?

A peace offering.

No jokes.

Now you can't keep
pushing at me, Barry.

All these lists,

research, phoning--

- I'm doing
the best I can.
- I know that.

Bull!

- You're running me like
you run your business.
- You're right.

You're absolutely right.
You are not my business.

You are my wife,

and I'm sorry
I pushed you.

I know.

It's just that sometimes
I'd like to forget
I'm a grownup.

Sometimes I think
I'm responsible
for the way raun is.

Suzi, don't.

You know how I have
my conversations
with god?

Well, before the girls
were born,

all I asked

was that they
be healthy.

It's all I could
think about.

And then when I got
pregnant the third time,

all I could think about was
how much I wanted a boy.

A son.

I just asked for a son.

I never once thought
to ask that he be healthy.

You think you did it?

I don't know.

[ Sighs ]

Now, suze,

you asked for what you
thought was important.

That didn't mean you
didn't want a healthy boy.

I think with
all his brains,

god knew that.

Huh?

Oh, baby.

Everybody, can I have
your attention, please?

Pop, roz,

herb-- everybody,
please. Herb.

You're being very
formal tonight, Barry.
What's up?

We have a little
favor to ask.

Granted.
Where's the liverwurst?

Herb, suzi and I are

gonna be visiting
a number of clinics,

special schools
that treat autism and...

Well, we're gonna
be away from home
for a while.

And you're recruiting
substitute mommies
and daddies.

What a way to put it.

I'll be here,
but we all thought--

you don't have to
be scared. We'll show
you where everything is.

In that case,
we've got a deal.

Barry, suzi,
I'm flattered you asked.

Of course.

Now wait a minute.
I don't think you really
understand what we're asking.

We just answered.
Now just one question.

Name it.

When do I get
my liverwurst?

- Coming up, herb.
- Abraham: Barry.

- Barry.
- Yeah, pop.

I want to tell you,
I'm very impressed.

You and suzi are handling
this thing very sensibly.

- Businesslike.
- Thanks, pop.

Well, now look here,

if there's anything
I can do.

Thanks, I'll ask.
I've got no shame.

Good.
Let's hope to god
he can be helped.

Barry:
We headed out like explorers

in a strange jungle.

The first place was
a special school.

They used behavior modification
and aversion therapy.

Now this is one
of our classrooms.

- We have several.
- Woman: No! No!

The treatment is aimed
at resocializing

and discontinuing deviant

and undesirable behavior.

Don, eat the food
with the spoon.

Don, eat the food
with the spoon.

No no no no!

Woman:
I know it seems severe,

but that child will
eventually learn to eat
with a spoon,

although he'll probably
never talk or relate
to others.

Don, eat the food
with the spoon.

The football helmet is
to protect his skull

if he slams it
against a wall.

Does he do it a lot?

He's fractured
his skull three times
in the past two years.

The abrasions
on his scalp

required 197 stitches.

He's self-destructive.

How old is your child?

Raun's not quite two.

Oh, well, then you probably
have time before this sort
of thing comes up.

[ Girl shrieking ]

What are they doing
to that little girl?

She's being
timed out.

When a child's behavior
becomes disruptive,

we remove them
from the group

and isolate them briefly.
It's a disciplinary measure.

Well, I'm happy
to have been of help.

The administrative offices
and exit are right out
this way.

- Both: Thank you.
- [ Shrieking continues ]

[ Banging ]

Our guidance techniques
help children relive
infancy.

We're bringing
that child through
the crawling phase.

[ Whimpering ]

And with this one
we're simulating
the womb experience.

[ Child shouts ]

We'll be going
this way next.

I hope what
you have seen

is useful, Mr. Kaufman,
Mrs. Kaufman.

And when your child
is one year older,

we'd be happy
to evaluate him.

Well, thank you,
Dr. Samms.

We would have liked
to have seen more
than one child.

I understand,
but you see,

we respect our
patients' privacy.

And besides, lay persons
don't always understand

the technical
details.

- Have a good trip.
- Thank you.

Thank you, doctor.

What?

Come on.

- Bears!
- Shh!

- What are you doing?
- Now, suze,

I know a p.R. Job
when it hits me.

[ Girl whimpering ]

[ Shouts ]

[ Claps, shouts ]

- Oh my god.
- Come on.

What is it?

Electric shock equipment.

Oh, god, bears,
I've had enough.
Let's get out of here.

- [ Thumps ]
- [ Child moans ]

No.

Just stay right there.

- [ Machine whirring ]
- [ Child moaning ]

It's junk. It's garbage.
It's cheap pornography.

What's wrong
with selling a movie?

- The client wants
to hype it up.
- Ask the client if he realizes

that a lying campaign
isn't poor ethics.

- It's dumb economics.
- Barry, you know what
he's gonna say.

Okay, tell him
to see me and we'll
argue it out then.

Okay, you're the boss.

Talk about
dumb economics.

I was in business
for 40 years.

I learned you give
the client what he's
ready to pay for.

Sure, except then
he thinks he owns you.

I don't intend
to be owned.

My son,
the professional rebel--

business, lifestyle,

even to getting
medical help for raun.

Pop, I told you what happened,
what suzi and I saw.

What you saw.
Are you a doctor?

How do you interpret
what you saw?

No, I'm not a doctor.
I'm raun's father!

I saw kids being manipulated,
being coerced,

being drugged,
being shocked!

There isn't
a medical explanation
good enough for me.

What are you gonna do?
Invent a magic serum?

I don't know
what we're gonna do,

but I do know where
we're gonna start.

Raun's a baby.
He's not violent.
He's not self-destructive.

We want to try
to reach him now.

We-- you and suzi.

Obviously nobody else
believes they can.

How? How are you
gonna do it, hmm?

I don't know, pop.

I don't know.

But I do know one thing,
we're not gonna judge
his behavior

as being good or bad.

We're gonna start
by watching the only
expert we have-- raun.

Barry:
We're gonna follow him
from the moment he wakes up

till he goes to sleep.
Suzi will take notes.

I'll take pictures.
We'll get a view
from every side,

how he plays,
what he likes, dislikes,

what he reacts to,
what he reacts against...

'Cause only raun can
give US the answers.

[ Camera shutter clicking ]

Look, in all these photos
he's walking on his toes.

Suzi:
He's so beautiful.

Over here and here,

he seems to be moving
away from the sounds

instead of towards it.

Barry:
Those eyes,
they just haunt me.

We had begun
to work with raun,

studying him.

As the first step
to understanding him,

we had to find a way
of reaching him.

Hey, raunch.

- [ Bell ringing ]
- Raunch.

Raunchie?

[ Musical toy playing ]

[ Music stops ]

Raunchie, hey.
Look at this.

[ Banging ]

Raun, raunchie.

Hey, raunchie, hey.

Hey, raunchie.

[ Telephone ringing ]

[ Rings ]

- Thanks, hon.
- You're welcome.

- Suze?
- Yeah?

I came down
a while ago
and I saw you.

What were you doing?

- You mean the rocking?
- Yeah.

Bears, it was
so strange.

I was sitting
down there with him

and I didn't
know what to do.

And I wanted to
say to him, "listen,

it's okay.

I'm not judging you.
I accept you,"

but I just didn't
know how to do it.

And then I sort
of let myself go

and you saw.

It was like you were
trying to be with him,

where he is,

wherever he is.

I wanted him to know
that whatever he does,

wherever he is,
it's okay.

It feels good.

It's good.

It's good, suzi,
I mean it.

Maybe that's the way
to get through to him.

I just wish there weren't
so many distractions.

I know.
Yesterday I noticed

whenever anybody
came into the room,

he became
even more withdrawn.

Now if we could just
find someplace else
to work with him.

With the door
and the girls
and the phone...

- I've got just the place.
- Where?

- You're gonna laugh.
Come on, come on.
- What?

- Come on, come on!
- What?

[ Suze laughing ]

You see,
it's small and quiet.

No distractions.
What do you think?

I think it's crazy.

You do?

I think it'll work.

Come on, lady,
don't stand around.
We gotta strip this.

Barry:
This was it.

The beginning of
we didn't know what--

an experiment,
a mistake,

a dream.

Hello, raunchie.
Welcome to your world.

It's a nice room,
raunchie.

Yeah, look
at that ceiling.

Your mama loves you
very very much.

Know what i'm
gonna do, raunchie?

I'm gonna sit down
real close,

and I'm not
gonna touch you.

You're gonna sit down
real close and i'm
gonna rock too.

Let's see what
this feels like, okay?

Barry:
She was with him
constantly.

From his waking up
to his bedtime,

they were together

in this quiet place.

While suzi worked
with him all day,

I observed
as much as possible,

and each night,
we'd share our observations,

following his cues
for direction,

sometimes talking
till 3:00 in the morning.

And I spent special times
with the girls,

offsetting
suzi's work with raun.

We didn't know
if it would work at all,

but suzi knew
she loved her son

and she wanted
to work with him.

I knew the work was
brutally hard for her,
difficult for all of US.

Here comes your food.

Barry:
As the therapy continued,

we began to keep
a record, a log--
the journey of raun.

"Log, eighth week.

Schedule:
75 hours per week.

We note more
facial expression.

Raun pushes away
from physical contact.

He smiles
but only to himself.

Always self-stimulating,

spinning, rocking,

he stares
constantly."

It's okay.
If you don't want me
to touch you, I won't.

♪ It's okay

♪ it's okay

♪ raunchie doesn't
want me to touch him ♪

♪ so I won't.

Good morning, raun.

Happy anniversary.

It's one month.

Whoops, somebody went off
somewhere again.

That's okay,
raunchie.

I'll just tag along,
is that okay?

Look at you,
you beautiful boy.

Look at me
looking at you.

I love you, raunchie.

Maybe someday

you're gonna look at me
and you're gonna see that.

You'll see me,
raunchie.

One day.

One month.

One year.

One whatever.

♪ There's love hidden deep

♪ in the warmth
of your eyes ♪

♪ I wish I could
know what you see ♪

♪ do you paint
your rainbows ♪

♪ with colors
unknown? ♪

♪ Must you be
so alone? ♪

♪ Is there room
in your world for me? ♪

♪ Are there feelings
worth showing? ♪

♪ Are there secrets
worth knowing? ♪

♪ Will the miracle of love
set you free? ♪

♪ Is there room
in your world for me? ♪

♪ I wait by the window

♪ with my only dream

♪ and long for the day
there you'll be ♪

♪ the sound
of your laughter ♪

♪ the gift
of your touch ♪

♪ oh, I love you
so much ♪

♪ is there room
in your world for me? ♪

Isn't that nice to have
your hand touched, raunchie?

Barry:
"Log, ninth week.

Suzi's making some
progress with eye contact

and raun shows more interest
in puzzles and games.

We're starting
to use music.

I wanna do more
with raun.

I also wanna spend
more time with the girls."

Bryn!

Bryn?

Bryn!

Hey.

I'm not that late.

No, daddy, I just--

I have my books
right here.

Now nobody
just starts crying.
What is it?

Hmm?

Well, come on, pumpkin,
there's a reason.

Tell me.

Some of the other kids,
did they say anything
to upset you?

Oh, no.

I mean,

some of them ask
questions about raun,

but I explain:

It's just hard for him
to talk to US or look at US,

or play with thea and me.

Mm-hmm.

It's not that.

It was just
Karen Jacobson.

Her mom came
to pick her up,

and brought
her little brother.

He was just
like raun except--

well?

We were playing with him
and he was having
a terrific time,

but when I try
to play with raun,
he won't.

Daddy, maybe it's me.

Maybe I did something.

[ Crying ]

Oh no, it's not you.

It's nobody's fault.

Oh, pumpkin.

Look,

there is no reason
to get upset
with ourselves,

or raun.

He's doing
the best he can.

He loves US.

He just doesn't know
how to show it yet.

Will he ever?

I hope so.

Hello, sweet baby.

Raunchie.

Here's some
cottage cheese.

Yeah, you love
cottage cheese,
don't you?

That's good, raun.

How about some music?

Let's listen to some
nice classical music.

[ Music playing quietly ]

Barry:
"10th week, far more
social interaction.

Actually seems
to seek out human contact.

Still spinning
but can move to music.

We ran
a language test.

Raun now responds
to a total of 21 words.

A very positive sign."

Do you wanna
be a dancer?

Barry:
"Schedule,
75 hours per week.

Suzi isn't getting
enough sleep.

She works
with raun all day,

and prepares and reviews
for hours with me
each night."

You could be anything.

Little raunchie can be
any person he wants to be,

any person
in the whole world.

Yes, he could.

Barry:
"Log, 11th week.

Raun more
socialized.

Beginning to make
more contact,

but still
inconsistent,

an enigma."

You know, raunchie,

sometimes I have a feeling
this is the world--

you and me.

Do you know
it's Sunday?

It's the day
of rest.

Happy Sunday, raunchie.

That's okay, baby.

You don't want
me to touch you,
I won't touch you.

You hungry?

You hungry,
raunchie baby?

Here's some food.

Okay.

It's okay.

We'll just
rock some now.

That's okay, raunchie.

Barry:
Trying to touch raun
is like trying to find

the most loving part
within ourselves.

Suzi's operating
on Patience and love,

but she's tired
most of the time now

and I want her
to slow down,

take some time off.

Maybe Nancy could
be trained to help.

Suzi needs rest.

I tried to reach him
through food today.

That seems to be
the only thing he's
interested in.

Well, each time
is the first time.

No connections.

He simply can't
hold it in his mind.

When it's
out of sight, it's gone.
It never happened.

He's got to make
connections.

Would you like some
help around here?

I'm okay.

I want to work with raun
for a while, all right?

Okay, raunchie.
Here we go.

Come on,
we're gonna
go to work.

Okay, here we go.

I can manage, Nance.
Listen, finish
your homework.

No, I wanna help!

Okay.

What else is it?

Nance, come on,
tell me.

It's just that...

I know, suzi,
you've got a whole lot
to worry about with raun,

you know, and...

I know you don't
need another problem.

I'm a whole other
problem for you.

Nancy, no.

I'm doing lousy
in school

and I don't know
what to do about it.

It just doesn't seem like
anything goes real right
for me, you know?

And that's not real fair
to you and Barry.

I've been thinking,
you know,

and you ought
to tell me to leave.

It's just...

I'm really scared.

[ Sobbing ]

Oh, Nancy.

Listen,

you have every right
to decide what you wanna
do with your life, okay?

But we want you
to stay, you hear?

We love you, Nancy.

Did you get it
all out?

Yeah, I'm sorry.

Listen, Nance,

would you be willing
to help me out
with raun?

Oh, could I?
You think I could?

Yeah, I think so.

You're part
of the family,

and god knows
I could use the help.

Oh, yeah yeah.
Sure, I'd love to.

Thank you.

Okay.

Now go finish
your homework.

Yeah, okay.

Barry:
"Log. Before Nancy
began working with raun,

I spent days talking to her
about what we were doing
and why;

most important,
about an accepting
attitude."

- Nancy's gonna help.
- Hey, raunch.

Wanna show Nancy
how to do it?

- Nancy's gonna
spin with US, raunch.
- I'm nervous.

Good, terrific.

That's it.

Oh, you're a good boy.
You're getting real good
at this.

Now watch, watch.

Watch, darling.

Can you do that?

Barry:
Raun was now actively
involved in music,

- more responsive.
- Good boy.

We've heard about
some interesting work
being done

at the university
research center on autism.
I'm gonna follow it up.

That was fun, huh?
You wanna try that?

Okay, raunchie,
I'm gonna put these
blocks up here.

See? Look.

Doesn't that
look like fun?

You see that?

Do you wanna help,
raunchie?

Here, darling.

Here.

Okay.

Okay, I'll rock
with you then.

I'll rock
just like you do.

I love you, raunchie.

Look at me, daddy!

Whoa!

Waa! Oh!

Are you hurt?

No no, honey.

Didn't you know
bears like to sit
on ice?

Hey, Bryn, honey.
What do you say we take
a break, huh?

- Okay.
- Okay, let's go.

[ Groaning ]

- Oop, there.
- Okay.

Here we go.

Did you know
mommy let me put raun
to sleep last night?

Uh-huh, and I understand
you did a terrific
job too.

Bryn, what do you
think about you and thea
helping out with raun?

Really?

Oh, daddy!

I'd love to.

- Daddy?
- Hmm?

Remember that day
at school?

Uh-huh.

I didn't mean to cry.

Really I didn't.

I wanna be strong,

strong like you
and mommy.

Crying doesn't mean
you're not strong, baby.

It's okay to cry.

I just want him
to get better.

So do I.

Okay,
let's skate, huh?

Whoa whoa!

Barry:
"Log, week 14.

Raun and suzi
are still spinning.

Suzi's become an expert
at his games.

Still no verbal
communication from raun,

but now there's something
very different about him."

Raunchie?

You're looking at me.

Raunchie!

Oh, dear god.

Oh, baby.
Sweet baby.

You looked at me.

Raunchie, you good
little boy.

Such a good
little boy.

Yes, you are.

Mommy loves you
so much, raunchie.

Yes, you're so good.

Yes, you are.

Mommy loves you
so much, raunchie.

♪ Patty cake, Patty cake,
baker's man ♪

♪ bake me a cake
fast as you can ♪

♪ bat it and roll it
and put it in a pan ♪

♪ Patty cake, Patty cake,
baker's man ♪

Barry:
"Log, week 15.

It seems to US that raun's
floodgates are open.

The progress
over this period
is breathtaking."

Which one?

"Raun was willing
to communicate with everyone.

He still has no words
but somehow that didn't
seem to get in his way."

Try it again.
Put it back in.

Oh, you're getting
too smart.

Hey, that's
a good boy.

Okay, now...

Raunchie?

Can you take this out?

Good, raunchie,
that's good.

Put it down there.

Right there.

That's good,
raunchie.

That's very good.

This is a circle,

and there's
a circle place
in this puzzle.

You try to
fit it in there.

Good, raunchie.

You're looking
at me.

I love you.

[ Blows notes ]

Barry:
We were feeling very good
about his progress

and wanted to share
our knowledge.

Suze, this is
Dr. Clark.

Hi, Bob Clark,
university research center.

We're all set
and ready to go,
Dr. Clark.

- Bob.
- Bob.

I'm not sure
what you expect.

We sort of
worked all this out
as we went along.

I mean, I don't know
how you'll judge it,

the idea of a parental
therapy program.

Mrs. Kaufman,

I think the idea's
fantastic.

Great.

Okay.

Well, I'll go
get raun.

There's not much room in here.
Where would you like
to set up?

This'll do.

Oh.

That's right, raun.
There's a strange man
in our bathtub.

You see that?
That's a camera.

We're not gonna worry
about any of that.

We're gonna sit
right here on the floor,

just like
we always do.

Yeah, just sit here
and we'll rock.

Raun?

Where's your nose?

Can you touch
your nose, raun?

Not my nose,
you little silly raunchie.

Raunchie raun's nose.
Let me see raunchie
raun's nose.

Yes, that's terrific!

What a good
little boy!

Yes, what a good boy,
raunchie.

That's a duck, huh?

Look at this
little duck.

[ Quacking ]

Look at that duck,
raunchie.

Where do you suppose
this guy goes?

Where would you
put this guy?

No, you put--
yeah.

Yeah, like turning it around
and then there it goes.

What a good try.
That was a real good try,
raunchie.

That was great.

See this little guy?
What is this?

[ Barks ]

It's a dog, huh?

[ Barks ]

See this dog?
Where would that go,
raunchie?

Where would you
stick that dog?

No, maybe it goes
over here a little bit.

[ Barks ]

It goes right
in there, yeah.

Twist it around
just a little, yeah.

That's terrific,
raunchie.

What a good
little boy.

How come
you're so good?

See the ball?

See the ball?

Try to catch it.

Catch the ball,
raunchie.

Catch the ball, raunchie.
Catch it.

See if you can
catch it.

Catch the ball,
raunchie.

Look at the ball, raunchie.
Look at it.

Look at the ball, raunchie.
Look at the ball.

Look at that ball.

Try to catch it.
Try to catch it.

Catch the ball.
That's terrific!

- That was really good.
- He did it.

He really did it.

That was
really good, raunchie.

Yes, that was good.
It was real real good.

Damn, I am impressed.

And the really
startling thing--
raun's a happy kid.

I'm used to seeing
a lot of anger, anxiety
in these children.

What about language
development?

I mean, right now,
he makes noise but they're
just noises, not words.

Let me talk
to Dr. Johnson.

He's our head of service.
He's done a lot of work
in this area.

I've seen the tapes

and had several talks
with Dr. Clark.

We don't feel that
your son is ready

for language development
at this time.

But why?

He understands me

and he tries
to speak.

That's your
interpretation,
Mrs. Kaufman,

as a layperson.

That's also
the conclusion
of people

who've worked
intensively with raun

for over three months,
Dr. Johnson.

Worked?

Yes.

By imitating
his autistic behavior.

I'm afraid
we can't agree
with that approach.

It may well
simply reinforce

inappropriate
behavior patterns.

Doctor, why would
you want to judge
a child's behavior

as inappropriate or bad
just because it's different?

What we're doing
reaches raun.
He responds.

Dr. Clark:
Suzi, Barry, please.

We've had a whole series
of discussions.

I've been outvoted...

So far.

Maybe if you
brought raun in
when he's older.

Thank you
but we've been
through that before.

We'd like to try
to reach raun now
while he's still young.

Six months or a year could
make all the difference,

and we don't want
to take that chance.

Yes, I see.

Of course
it is your child.

That's right.
No, wait a minute,
that's not quite right.

Raun's not an "it."

He's our son,

and that's why
we'll do everything
in our power

to reach him.

There you go.
Use both hands.

Good boy!
Good boy.

Okay.

[ Dog whines ]

[ Barks ]

Suzi:
Here it comes.
Here it comes.

Those are
good bubbles, huh?

Here it comes.

Got it!
That was good,
raunch.

♪ Raunchie raun,
raunchie raun ♪

♪ gonna sit right
here on the floor,
little raunchie. ♪

You can play
with these blocks, see?

Mommy will
fix you some lunch.

Then we can
play some ball.

You like that,
raunchie?

Play some ball?

Yeah.

Yes, you're such
a good boy, huh?

Yes, that's
my good sweet boy.

[ Crying ]

Raunchie!

Baby, do you
want some juice?

Raunch?

Do you want juice
to drink? This?

Yes.

Get raunchie a glass.

Juice? Juice?
You want--

oh, raunchie, baby,
you asked for juice,
you good boy.

- Fun? No.
- Excuse me, I'm sorry.
Keep talking.

I see a campaign
that links together

- a sense of place
with a sense of thrust.
- Barry here.

What? He did?

Babes, I'll be
right there!

- What's wrong?
- I'm sorry, my son
just asked for juice.

- He asked for what?
- My son, he asked for juice!

And youhave
to get it for him?

Okay, here's the car.
Where's the car go?

Figure it out.
Where does the car go?

Bears!

- He did it!
- He did it?

- He did it.
- Nancy: Here's the car.
Where's the car go?

- Let's try it.
- Oh, bears, he did
one thing.

- That doesn't mean he can--
- suze, I'm not expecting
any miracles.

- Whatever he does is okay.
Let's let him decide.
- Okay, all right.

- Nance?
- Oh, of course
he can do it.

You can do anything
you want, can't you?

Go ahead.

Well, he tried.

Shoot.

Suzi: Oh!

He remembered!
He made the connection!

Raunchie, yay!
You're a genius,
my baby.

There's an article.
I think it's in the bedroom.

All right, you stay
right there now.

That's you, raunchie.

There you are.

♪ There's hope in my heart
when I look in your eyes ♪

♪ now I think I know
what you see ♪

♪ remember those rainbows
you painted alone ♪

♪ we will
make them our own ♪

♪ when there's room
in your world for me. ♪

Okay, here we go.

- Whoa!
- Thea: Good, raun,
very good.

Nancy:
Look at how good your
little brother's getting.

Where's he going?

Let's follow him.

We've been
playing ball.

- Oh, yeah?
- Oh yeah, he's getting
real good too.

You should see him.
He can even roll a curve.

- [ Crying ]
- Suzi: Raunchie's terrific.
Aren't you, raunch?

Juice?

- I'll get it.
- Thanks.

Coming up, coming up.
Here I am. Juice?

Juice? Huh?

- Hmm, I don't
think he wants it.
- What do you want, raun?

Oh, I see somebody
here wants juice.

No, we don't know
what he wants.
Not juice.

You want a cookie?

One cookie,
coming up.

Raun: Wuh--

wuh-- wuh--

Uhh-- ahh--

wah-- wah--

wah-- wah--

suzi:
Water!

- Oh my god!
- Get him a glass of water!

Water?
Raunchie, water?
Water?

Did you say water?
That was so good!

That's water!
Water!

[ All talking excitedly ]

Okay, here comes
your water, raunchie.

- Down!
- Down?

D-Down down!

Raunchie!

Water!

[ Quacking ]

- Duck.
- A duck, that's right.

Where would you
put that duck?

Yes!

Push it, push it.
That's right, raunchie.
That was real good.

Okay, what is this?

- A duck.
- [ Neighs ]

No, listen to this.

[ Neighs, sputters ]

What is that?

- Horse.
- Yes, it's a horse.

Where are you gonna
put that horse, raunchie?

Yes! How come you're
such a smart raunchie?

Let's see.

This.
[ Barking ]

- Dog.
- Yes, that's a doggie.

Put him in.
Where would you put him?

Dog goes right there
in his little house.

Yes, raunchie's so good.
What a little--

good raunchie!

[ Laughing ]

Wah.

Coming up, raunchie.

Down!

You want down.
Okay, big boy.

He's demanding,
isn't he?

Oh, you're getting--
you're getting heavy.

Okay.

Oh, here you go, raunchie.

Here's your water.

Thattaboy.

Ball.

Okay, raun,
you wanna play?

- Come on.
- It's my turn.

- Okay.
- Ball!

- Here, we can both play.
- Okay.

Oh, pop and roz will be
here in the morning.

He's usually
so laid-back.

I don't think
I've ever heard him
so excited before.

- What did he say?
- I don't know.

Some craziness about
giving US a nobel prize.

[ Plate spinning ]

My god,
what happened?

Raunchie, baby.

Barry:
Raun had reverted
quite unexpectedly--

no eye contact,
no response,

nothing.

He pulled away from US
back deep into himself.

We'd have to start
over again.

"Log, 16th week.

Raun is withdrawn
as when we began.

So we too begin
at his beginning,

where he was,

rocking,
spinning with him,

letting him know
that wherever he is,

it's okay with US."

That's my raunchie.

I love you, raunchie.

I don't understand it.
The whole thing
is crazy.

- It is totally insane.
- It's my business, Dan.

Exactly, so how can you
walk out on it?

It's what
I wanna do, Danny.

I wanna be with raun
even more than I am now.

I don't understand

how a guy can walk out
on a growing,

successful business.

I've got enough
money saved.

Oh, for how long?

Long enough.

Enough to find out
how long is enough.

You mean it for real?

Yes.

- Okay.
- No more arguments?

What's the use?

I keep arguing with you
and I get scared.

You begin
to sound sensible.

That frightens me.

Hey, Barry,

I hope you're right.

You're doing a lot
for that kid.

No, I'm not.

It's all for me.

Really, it's all
for me.

Okay.

Barry:
"Log, in limbo.

We're taking each day
moment by moment,

working with raun
as we did before,

letting him
make the decisions,

or not make them;

letting him know
we're with him."

The ceiling?

Think that's pretty
up there.

Dr. Clark:
How long has it been?

Suzi:
Oh, two and a half weeks.
17 days.

Approximately.

There's no apparent change.
But, Bob, he's different.

- How?
- He's more aware.

Maybe he's
taking it all in.

He knows the way.

He just
has to decide.

Dr. Clark:
You both talk as if
he's a mature adult,

ready to make his own
way in the world.

Maybe he's testing US.

Maybe if we allow him
to be where he is,

then he'll see that
we really accept him.

Raunie?

Some water?

- "R."
- "r," very good.

- Kuh...
- [ Sniffling ]

Nance?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I just can't stand
to see him that way.

I'm sorry.

Nancy,

there's nothing
to be sorry about.

All we can do
is help him

and hope that he'll
find his way back to US.

When will that be?

When he's ready, kitten.

We'll just have
to wait then,
won't we?

Yeah, we're just
gonna have to wait.

Come here,
give your daddy
a big hug and a kiss.

Barry:
Suzi with raun,

trying to make
contact again.

The rocking,
the spinning,

working with him

and waiting,

and waiting,

and waiting.

- [ Raun cries ]
- Oh!

Mama nose.

Yes, raunchie,
that's my nose.

- You're back.
- Back!

- Yes!
- Yes.

Oh, my son is back.

You're back,
you're back.

Down!

He said
he wanted down.

Well, if down's
where you wanna go,

down you go.

Barry.

Oh god.

It's nice
you came back,
raunchie.

Come on.

Nance.

It's all right.
It's okay.

It's all right.

Raun:
Come on,
wanna race with me?

Barry:
Oh, come on, raunchie,
I'm too swift for you.

Oh, all right, okay.

All right, all right,
I'll even give you
a head start.

Wait, you start here.

All right,
you got a head start.

All right, babes,
you call it.

- On your Mark...
- Right.

...get set, go!

I'm gonna
get you, raunie!
I'm coming!

Oh, I'm gonna
beat you, raunchie!

I'm gonna win!

Here I come!
Aahhh!

Whoa, you won!

That's 10¢
I owe you.

Hi, my name's raun.

We're going to go
to the zoo.

Wanna come with US?

Oh, he doesn't talk,
little boy.

Oh, why not?

Well, he can't,

because he wasn't
born perfect,

like you.