Christmas present, Documentaries focus on insiders' view of autism

When Taylor Cross was 14, he told his mother he wanted to earn money to pay for the Christmas Home decor they planned to give a needy family.

Keri Bowers was moved by her son's display of empathy. Cross was diagnosed with high-functioning autism at age 6 and struggles with social skills. Bowers suggested household chores he could do to earn the money.

No way, he said. He wanted to make a movie and sell it.

No way, she said. As a paralegal in the entertainment industry in California, she feared the venture would flop.

In the end, the mother and son collaborated on "Normal People Scare Me," a documentary on people with autism. Its success led to a second documentary, "Sandwich Kid," for siblings of people with disabilities.

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