If you loved
The Specials
Éric Toledano · Film · 2019
What hooked you in The Specials was the way it centers unconventional, marginalized individuals while celebrating the profound, transformative power of found family.
Books on the same thread
Speed Of Dark
Elizabeth Moon · Book · 2010
Just as The Specials highlights the inner worlds of those on the autism spectrum, this book offers a poignant, identity-focused exploration of neurodiversity that mirrors Bruno and Malik’s mission.
Driven To Distraction
Edward M. Hallowell, John J. Ratey · Book · 1995
You appreciated the compassionate, non-judgmental look at caregiving in The Specials, and this guide provides that same empathetic framework for understanding diverse neurological experiences and the people navigating them.
The Gray House
Mariam Petrosyan · Book · 2017
Much like the resilient community built in The Specials, this story captures the beauty of institutional life where individuals deemed as liabilities find strength within their own alternative family.
Noughts & Crosses
Malorie Blackman · Book · 2006
The Specials succeeds by highlighting social inequality, and this narrative similarly tackles the friction of rigid social structures and the deep, meaningful connections that attempt to bridge those divides.
Series on the same thread
The Good Doctor
David Shore · Series · 2017
If you valued the focus on neurodiversity and professional inclusion in The Specials, you will connect with this portrayal of an autistic individual navigating a challenging, high-pressure environment.
Sex Education
Laurie Nunn · Series · 2019
The Specials thrives on its honest depiction of social outsiders, a feeling this series echoes by showing how unconventional support systems can help young people navigate complex, vulnerable life transitions.
Atypical
Robia Rashid · Series · 2017
The Specials emphasizes that autism is just one part of a complex human experience, a sentiment captured here through a deeply personal journey toward independence and authentic family connection.
The Promised Neverland
Series · 2019
While the tone differs, this story shares the core emotional anchor of The Specials by focusing on the bonds forged between children living within a structured, institutionalized environment.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Telepathy Tapes
Ky Dickens · Podcast · 2026
The Specials prioritizes the voices of those often overlooked by society, and this podcast honors that same commitment by exploring the untapped potential and consciousness of non-speaking individuals.
The MeidasTouch Podcast
MeidasTouch Network · Podcast · 2026
The Specials is driven by the tireless social activism of its leads, a spirit of dedicated advocacy that is equally central to the mission and political engagement found here.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Specials based on a true story?
The Specials follows the work of Bruno and Malik, who operate two nonprofit organizations called The Hatch and The Shelter. These organizations provide care and training for autistic children and teens who have been refused by traditional institutions for over twenty years.
What is the focus of The Specials?
The Specials focuses on the partnership between Bruno and Malik as they manage nonprofits dedicated to supporting autistic children and teens. The film highlights their efforts to train young people from underprivileged areas to serve as caregivers for cases that other institutions have rejected.
Who are the main figures in The Specials?
The main figures in The Specials are Bruno and Malik. They run two separate nonprofit organizations known as The Hatch and The Shelter, where they train young individuals from underprivileged backgrounds to provide specialized care for autistic children and teens in extreme cases.
How does The Specials approach care for autistic teens?
The Specials depicts an approach outside of traditional settings. Bruno and Malik operate The Hatch and The Shelter, where they train young people from underprivileged areas to act as caregivers for autistic children and teens who have been refused by all other standard institutions.