For more than 30 years, desperate parents have been flocking to a remote campus in western Massachusetts to learn about the Son-Rise Program, which has been touted as a “cure” for their autistic children. This deeply reported story uncovers the complicated history of Son-Rise, the lack of scientific evidence to support it, and the impact that the program has had on these parents, who must often raise money from friends to pay for costly classes and must devote themselves fully to the program and its founders. The central narrative follows Elizabeth B., who spends nearly $50,000 to help her son Sam and obtain a mentorship certification and is devastated when the institute exiles her amid a business dispute. The story also explores the deeper question of how we make sense of autism success stories, such as those championed by Son-Rise proponents, and if any intervention can really help people with autism outgrow their diagnosis.
Judges’ comments: This investigative piece stands out for its all-around strength and its impact. Brendan Borrell’s dogged reporting performed a public service by exposing how the operators of an unproven treatment program harm both the pocketbooks and the emotional well-being of desperate families. It provides readers with strong context about the changing nature of autism diagnoses and deftly integrates public documents and interviews as well as art elements.