A new Netflix documentary, Makayla’s Voice: A Letter to the World, tells the story of Makayla Cain, a girl with autism who is nonverbal and learning to communicate using letter board therapy.

For years, Makayla couldn’t speak or express herself. But at age 14, she discovered the power of a letter board which allowed her to share her thoughts and feelings for the first time.

Directed by Julio Palacio, the 23-minute documentary follows Makayla’s journey over several months as she learns a new way to communicate.

Since its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Makayla’s Voice has been praised for its emotional and honest look at nonverbal autism. 

The film highlights the importance of alternative communication methods and challenges common misconceptions about what people with autism can achieve.

Makayla writes, “I hope I can change the world. I hope I can be confident enough to not be scared to have the influence to change hearts. Be an advocate for autistic people without a voice.”

The documentary premiered on Netflix on December 11, 2024 and is available to stream now.

This article has information from DisabilityScoop and The Times Weekly.