In
Mali, a 2015 film by Malky Weingarten, an Orthodox Jewish autistic teenage girl named Mali, who had been living at a care home since early childhood, moves back in with her mother and sisters, Debby and Hadassa. Her sisters had not been told that she existed, and Debby has a hard time coping with suddenly finding out that she has an autistic sister. After realizing that she's missing out on a standard education, Mali asks to attend a "regular" school, and though her mother initially doesn't think it can work, she reluctantly agrees to send her to a mainstream Orthodox girls' school. She is surprised to find that the principal considers it an opportunity to teach the other girls kindness and acceptance. At school, she doesn't quite fit in. Most of the other girls are accepting, but some of them decide to try to get them expelled using their wealth and connections. Mrs. Tweezers, an older woman who is Mali's neighbor, doesn't know what to make of her, but they become friends. In the end, almost everyone in Mali's life learns to appreciate her.
Mali provides examples of:
- Hollywood Autism: Mali is described as having Asperger's syndrome, and she has a slight stutter, talks a lot, is gifted at math, and rocks back and forth as she speaks.
- Inspirationally Disadvantaged: After initially having trouble adjusting to being around her, the people in her life learn to appreciate how inspirational she is.
- One-Gender School: Mali attends a school for girls.
