go back to Shows
In A Different Key show's poster

In A Different Key

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.

Latest episode

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

In A Different Key

Season 1 Episode 1 | 103m 14s | CC

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.

Episodes

Related stories

Science & Environment
At an experimental farm in Fruita, researchers are fighting drought with pistachio shells
A CSU research station project looks at how soil supplements could reduce water and fertilizer use in agriculture by improving soil health.
 | Joshua Vorse
Community Action
Breakthrough: Class of 28 graduate from prison business program
After eight months of classes, incarcerated participants celebrated graduation with family, friends and volunteers.
 | Carly Rose, Peter Vo
Election 2024
7 of 10 states backed abortion rights. But little to change yet.
Actual access to abortion in the country remains largely unchanged, despite the Nov. 5 results. The web of preexisting state laws on abortions will likely remain in place while they are contested in court, a process that could take months or even years.
 | Bram Sable-Smith