Jordan’s World
We are trying to raise funds to make a documentary film that puts a spotlight on the difficulties and challenges of living with profound autism, and how the system that is there to help actually makes it harder.
Films are more expensive and time-consuming to make than most people realise. It requires considerable funds to get the resources and expertise required to complete a project well and do it justice. While Kerry-Ann Morrell (Jordan’s Mum) is a professional editor and has already invested thousands of hours collating footage, we can’t do this alone.
If you would like to help us share this important story then please consider donating and/or passing this on to your friends. Every dollar makes a difference and we are very grateful. All donations are tax deductible and collected through the Documentary Australia website.
Videos
Synopsis
Approximately 1 in 100 Australians are diagnosed with autism. Among those diagnosed, about 25% have profound, severe autism, which significantly limits their ability to live independently. In 2021, the medical journal The Lancet published a report on future care and research in autism, highlighting that many of these individuals are not receiving the support they need.
Jordan’s World is an intimate and powerful feature documentary chronicling more than two decades in the life of Jordan, a young man with severe, profound autism, whose remarkable mind is captivated by maps and car washes.
Told through Jordan’s perspective and interpreted by his mother Kerry-Ann, this film provides an unfiltered look at the lived experience of severe autism, moving beyond clinical definitions to reveal the love, resilience, and struggles of a family navigating a world that is filled with u-turns, dead ends and stop signs.
Diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Jordan and his family have navigated a relentless journey through intensive therapies, frequent relocations, and an ongoing struggle to access essential support. His mother, Kerry-Ann, sacrificed her career as a film editor to become his full-time advocate, caregiver, interpreter, and documentarian—capturing their family’s experiences through deeply personal footage spanning over two decades. For his parents and three siblings, life has been a continuous cycle of adaptation, advocacy, and unwavering love.
Through their story, we witness their battles with schooling, the NDIS, COVID-19 lockdowns, and the countless daily obstacles Jordan faces in a world that often fails to accommodate his needs. Now in adulthood, Jordan is embracing a milestone once thought impossible: independent living in assisted care.
Blending storytelling interviews and archival footage, Jordan’s World is more than a personal story—it’s a call for greater understanding, inclusion, and systemic change.
The narrative emphasises Jordan’s close relationships with his parents and three younger siblings, alongside interviews with his teachers, friends, and family. Jordan has a keen interest in and a savant-like ability to remember dates and navigate street maps.
The footage includes Jordan as a toddler, extensive home therapy sessions, and trips to America for therapy and training. It captures years of home-schooling, the family’s relocation to the UK for three years of specialised education, and their return to Australia. Additionally, it highlights the challenges Jordan has faced as he transitions into adulthood.
Why are we making this film?
People with disabilities matter, and systems can do better.
- A Rare Perspective: Severe, profound autism is often misunderstood or misrepresented. This film offers the rare perspective of an authentic, lived experience that raises awareness about the realities faced by these individuals and families.
- Breaking Stereotypes: This film project seeks to break stereotypes. While autism is often associated with genius or independence, this documentary sheds light on those who require full-time support, giving voice to families and a community rarely seen on screen. – Universal Themes: At its core, this is a human story of love, resilience, and the need for deeper societal understanding, resonating with anyone who has faced adversity or fought for a loved one.