There are many movies that portray characters with learning disabilities. The most famous of these is undoubtedly Forrest Gump, which tells the story of an individual with developmental disabilities who becomes rich and famous after running across the country.
The concept of special needs is broad, and it includes people with a variety of disorders or disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy and seizures, depression and anxiety disorders, ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
There are many different types of special needs movies available. The most popular ones include autism and Asperger’s syndrome (together known as the “autistic spectrum disorders”), Down syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy and Tourette’s Syndrome. Some examples include: Autism Speaks, which was released in 2015; Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013); and The Theory Of Everything (2014).
Inclusion is a major theme for all of these films, which feature characters with special needs. Some of these films are based on real-life stories, and some are fictional, but all of them focus on the disability community. We hope you enjoy watching these movies as much as we did.
Let’s start with the obvious: Forrest Gump. The story of a man with a low IQ who goes on to become a ping pong champion and billionaire is one that’s truly inspiring. It shows that when it comes to challenges, we have to put in the hard work—but if we do, the rewards can be life-changing!
Another fantastic movie about special needs is My Left Foot, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. This movie tells the story of Christy Brown, an Irish writer with cerebral palsy who learned to paint and write using only his left foot. It shows that while some challenges are harder than others, it’s never impossible to overcome them.
The Mighty is another film well worth your time—this time centering around the unlikely friendship between two boys at school: one with muscular dystrophy and the other emotionally troubled. As their friendship grows and deepens, they learn more about themselves and each other than they ever thought possible.