Synopsis
Jordan’s World is an intimate documentary tracing 23 years in the life of Jordan, a young man with profound autism whose mind is uniquely captivated by maps and car washes. Diagnosed at age two, his family’s journey unfolds as his mother, Kerry-Ann, leaves her career to become his full-time carer, homeschool teacher, and documentarian. With a camera and a question—“Can we do better than this?”—she captures their search for better support, understanding, and inclusion.
As Jordan grows, so do the challenges. Adolescence brings more complexity, and the family struggles with an under-resourced NDIS system and mounting emotional costs. Then COVID hits—routines collapse, services vanish, and isolation deepens. Once again, Kerry-Ann asks, “Is this really the best we can do—as a society?”
When Jordan moves into supported independent living, it marks both a milestone and a reckoning. Kerry-Ann travels to the U.S. and London, meeting others advocating for recognition of Profound Autism—and finds hope. Real, complicated, hard-earned hope.
What began as one mother’s archive becomes a national call for change. Jordan’s World is not just a personal story—it’s a mirror held up to society, asking: “Can we do better than this?”
Director
Kerry-Ann Morrell
Story
In Act I, we meet Jordan and the Morrell family—parents and three siblings—who navigate early therapies, educational exclusion, frequent relocations, and the isolation of living in the gaps of a system striving for inclusion but falling short.
Act II explores the increasing complexity of adolescence. Jordan’s meltdowns and risks grow, while services and funding remain limited. The pandemic pushes their support network to breaking point. As routines collapse and Jordan spirals, Kerry-Ann documents the raw emotional toll of a system that leans on families as the safety net—often without real support.
In Act III, Jordan transitions into supported independent living. Kerry-Ann seeks answers abroad—travelling to the U.S. to attend the Profound Autism Summit and meeting advocates leading a global push for recognition and tailored support. In the UK, she reunites with Jordan’s former teacher and discovers more inclusive models of care and education.
What began as a personal archive becomes a national call to action. Jordan’s World asks: Can we do better than this?
Production Stage
- Development
- Production
- Post-production
- Completed
- Outreach
DURATION: 60 MINUTES
Issue area
HUMAN RIGHTS & SOCIAL JUSTICE
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