OWN to Air AUTISM: THE MUSICAL, 4/15

In honor of April's National Autism Awareness Month, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network will air the acclaimed documentary "Autism: The Musical" on "Super Soul Sunday" April 15 at 11am ET/10 (check local listings).

Directed by Tricia Regan, "Autism: The Musical" is the story of one woman's pledge to lead a group of five autistic children from Los Angeles to defy expectations by writing, rehearsing and performing their own full-length musical. The film won two primetime Emmys for "Outstanding Nonfictional Special' and "Outstanding Picture Editing for Nonfiction Programming", in addition to six international film festival honors.

"I couldn't be prouder, or more thrilled that "Autism: The Musical" will air on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. This movie is a love song to everyone who has ever dealt with autism, and anyone who ever will," said Ms. Regan. "Its message of hope, and strength against all odds, has the power to inspire and change lives - I know this because I have seen it happen again and again. I salute OWN for bringing this film to their audience."

Once a rare disorder, autism now afflicts approximately one out of every 88 children in the U.S., increasing at a rate of 10 percent to 17 percent annually, making it the nation's fastest-growing developmental disability according to the Centers for Disease Control.

As autism becomes increasingly more common, "Autism: The Musical" brings to light the triumphs and challenges facing a growing number of families across America, bringing attention to a modern-day epidemic, all the while celebrating the way the human spirit can overcome any challenge.

For more information, visit www.oprah.com/supersoulsunday

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