Showtime plans autism documentary

LOS ANGELES, March 1 (UPI) -- Showtime says it plans to air the U.S. documentary "Dad's in Heaven with Nixon" in April, which is Autism Awareness Month.

Broadcast journalist Tom Murray wrote, directed and produced the film.

"Through candid testimonials, old photos and decades of home movies, Murray weaves together the saga of three generations of his family," Showtime said in a news release Monday.

"Murray's great-grandfather Thomas E. Murray was a brilliant inventor who held patents to hundreds of inventions -- second only to Thomas Edison. But the life of his son, John F. Murray was destroyed by depression and bipolar disorder, afflictions shared by his son, Murray's own father Thomas E. Murray II, a successful stockbroker who ultimately lost his family fortune.

"Later, Murray's brother Chris, who was born severely oxygen-deprived and who was encouraged by doctors to be institutionalized, was diagnosed with autism. While Murray's father and grandfather were ultimately destroyed by their refusal to seek treatment for their disorder and inability to cope with their life's disappointments, Chris shines through his autism -- his family's bombardment of love and refusal to believe the experts led him to become, among other professions, an acclaimed artist... . He channeled his dreams and frustrations through his craft and he now leads a prosperous, successful and independent life."

The documentary is set to air April 6.