Over the years, jigsaw puzzle pieces have come to be a universally recognized symbol for autism awareness. But who knew that putting together a few of those pieces might reveal images of Disney characters?  That’s been part of the autism experience for Owen Suskind and his family, who discovered during Owen’s early childhood that his love for Disney animation was an invaluable conduit for communicating. The unique way that the Suskinds have dealt with an all-too-familiar challenge is the subject of Roger Ross Williams’s documentary “Life, Animated.” It’s a touching companion to the 2014 book by Owen’s father, Ron, a Cambridge-based, Pulitzer-winning journalist.  We’re introduced to Owen in his early 20s, as he’s preparing to graduate from a life-skills program down on the Cape and get a place of his own. Passing time in his room, he watches an old VHS copy of “Peter Pan,” casually yet expertly reenacting everything from the dialogue to the swashbuckling. We see him taking in a scene of Peter railing against — what else? — growing up, a parallel that couldn’t be any more on-the-nose.  But then, that’s precisely the point. As the narrative flashes back to Owen’s formative years, we come to understand how Disney’s skilled, straightforward handling of timeless themes has helped rescue him from isolation and make sense of an overwhelming world.  Similarly, part of the point of translating Ron Suskind’s book to the screen is the opportunity this affords for clear, direct visual connections. An audience can read about how Owen’s circumstance corresponds with signature Disney moments, but nothing crystallizes this resonance quite like the animated images themselves, pulled from “The Lion King,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and various others. (The filmmakers commission elegantly melancholy original animation for scenes a bit too specific for Disney’s clips, as well as to illustrate stories Owen has crafted about identifying with society’s sidekicks.)  “Life” isn’t entirely about the “Animated” elements, though. The movie has a remarkable knack for delivering moments of coping that make us respond and react just as the Suskinds themselves have. “All of a sudden, at 3 years old, Owen vanishes,” says Ron. Owen’s supportive big brother, Walt (coincidence?), feels occasional angst about his future caretaking role. And when Owen’s mom, Cornelia, recalls prematurely thinking he’d had a breakthrough, we’re right there with her on the emotional roller coaster. It’s anything but your typical Disney ride.  Owen, Ron, and other members of the Suskind family will appear at screenings on July 15 (7:15 p.m.) and July 16 (11:10 a.m.) at Kendall Square.  Directed by Roger Ross Williams, based on the book “Life, Animated: A Story of Sidekicks, Heroes, and Autism” by Ron Suskind. Kendall Square. 91 minutes. Unrated.
The documentary “Life. Animated” looks at the power of Disney animation’ to be Owen Suskind’s conduit for communication beyond his autism.