A documentary film...
By the Autism community,
For the community—
And beyond.
Film Synopsis
The Divergent Gift: Unboxing Autism is a documentary that focuses on deepening positive Autistic identity through visualizing the various unseen struggles, challenges, gifts, abilities, and interests of those within the "low support-needs" presentation of the autistic spectrum. Exploring both he and his son’s place in the world of Autistic experiences, the filmmaker brings diverse interviews to life through Autistic-artist-produced animations that illuminate the struggle to thrive in culture steeped in more stigma and misconceptions than empathy and acceptance.
About the Director +
Bret Malley
Bret Malley is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and educator whose work explores the intersection of creativity and neurodivergence. With an MFA from Syracuse and books published by Adobe Press, he brings decades of visual storytelling expertise to The Divergent Gift.
What started as a journey to understand his son’s diagnosis became a realization of his own neurodivergence. This dual perspective fuels his passion to lift stigma and reshape the narrative from deficit-only to one of depth, difference, compassion, and deeper empathy. Bret lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife, son, and a dog that is convinced it is a cat, and a cat that thinks itself a dog. The other cat just likes to eat.
Explore The Journey +
Autism as a Lived Experience
Sparked by his son’s diagnosis, the director confronts a life-changing possibility regarding his own neurology. Moving beyond clinical definitions, this chapter listens to the experts—those who live it—to answer the fundamental question: what is autism as a lived-experience?
Childhood Experiences
Every story has a beginning. By exploring the formative years, this chapter examines childhood through an Autistic perspective, revealing how early experiences—often misunderstood at the time—contain the keys to understanding the Autistic self in an unyielding neurotypical world.
Misconceptions & Autism
Confronting the most harmful falsehoods head-on—including the long-disproven claim that vaccines cause autism—we dismantle the barriers to acceptance. This segment shifts the narrative framework from a Medical Model of "fixing" to a Social Model of understanding.
Sensory Experiences
An immersive dive into the autistic sensory world. Brought to life by neurodivergent animators and sound designers, this chapter makes the invisible visible, illustrating the intense beauty and overwhelming challenges of sensory processing.
Social Experiences
Navigating connection in a neurotypical world. From the "truth bombs" of a 60-year-old to the unboxing of friendship by a precocious 10-year-old, we explore the distinct and poignant reality of social interaction through the lens of those in the spectrum.
The Diagnosis
For the late-diagnosed, the search for answers is high-stakes. As the filmmaker pursues his own evaluation, we explore the profound impact of adult diagnosis—a journey of validation and self-discovery shared by a lost generation.
Masking and Unmasking
The cost of fitting in. We examine the survival mechanism and internal damage potential of "masking"—hiding one's true traits and characteristics to survive a stigma-filled culture—and the radical, terrifying, and liberating process of finally taking the mask off.
Gifts, Abilities, & Interests
This chapter explores the deep intensity of special interests and how they can, at times, manifest as a double-edged sword: a source of immense elation, creative power, and beauty, but also distinct challenges.
Supports, Belonging, & Community
The journey concludes with the power of finding your tribe. By leveraging interests and seeking genuine support, this chapter highlights the true meaning of diversity and the relief of finally finding a place to belong.
Film Subjects +
Morénike Giwa Onaiwu
PhD is a global activist-scholar, author, and community leader who is passionate about human rights, justice, and inclusion.
Sue Nelson
Is a British journalist and renowned radio documentarian for the BBC, received her diagnosis at the age of 60—and has been exploring the topic ever since.
Eric Garcia
A D.C.-based journalist focused on politics and policy and currently the senior Washington correspondent for The Independent. He’s also the author of We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation.
Jordan James
Is an author, advocate, speaker, and renowned photographer with a social media reach of over 100K community members.
Maisie Soentantyo
Advocate and Founder of Autism Career Pathways, a 501c3 Organization.
Ivan Vejar
Is a professional creative and small business owner working in design, photography, video, and illustration.
Marian Schembari
Author of the upcoming memoir: A Little Less Broken. Marian is a writer who’s been published in The New York Times, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Cup of Jo, among others.
Julius Ybañez Towers
A seasoned legal counsel and contract leader with 15+ years of experience protecting intellectual property and navigating regulatory landscapes in biotech and consumer goods.
Kalyn Morris
Software Engineer for Wells Fargo Banking. Has interest in homesteading and birdsongs.
Kellen Malley
Age ten, 2e student and future engineer. Animal lover and yoga ball master. Autistic Self-Advocate.
Artwork and Music +
*COMING SOON* All proceeds of purchased artwork go directly to each artist.
The Creatives +
Our Partners +
Co-produced by
Nonprofit Fiscal Sponsor
In association with
Collaborators
Engage +
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Support The Film
Your tax-deductible donation helps us bring these stories to a wider audience. Donations are processed through our fiscal sponsor, the Portland Art Museum.
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Resources & Allies
A curated list of podcasts, organizations, and creators leading the conversation on neurodiversity.
Divergent Gift Circles
Connect with others in our community support group. Share your experiences, find validation, and celebrate neurodivergent strengths in a safe, inclusive space.
Coming Soon