After Thomas (2006) is a British television movie directed by Simon Shore and based on a true story. The film follows the struggles of Nicola and Rob Graham as they try to cope with the difficulties of their son Kyle, who has autism, and shows the impact of their son's difficulties in social communication on family relationships. When a dog named Thomas enters Kyle's life, the boy's emotional development undergoes a significant change. Starring Keeley Hawes and Ben Miles, the film offers a sensitive portrait of the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and draws attention to the impact of animal-assisted therapy.

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Plot

After Thomas centers on Kyle Graham, a boy with autism, and the communication problems he has with his family and the tension these problems create within the family. Kyle is a quiet and withdrawn child who has difficulty connecting with those around him. His family, especially his parents, are helpless in the face of this situation and their marriage begins to shake. They decide to adopt a dog to help Kyle. At first, Kyle has a hard time adapting to the dog, but with the support of his grandparents, he gradually begins to feel close to the dog. However, the death of their grandmother negatively affects Kyle's psychology and causes him to break his bond with the dog. In the process, Kyle's condition worsens. For the sake of their son, his parents are forced to reunite him with the dog and rebuild their bond.

Cast and Characters

• Keeley Hawes (Nicola Graham): A mother looking for solutions for her son Kyle, who has autism. She tries to support her child in the face of emotional tensions within the family.
• Ben Miles (Rob Graham): Nicola's husband and Kyle's father. Despite the problems in their marriage, he strives for his son's well-being.
• Andrew Byrne (Kyle Graham): He is a child with autism. He has difficulty communicating with his environment, and his emotional fluctuations and social isolation take center stage throughout the film.
• Sheila Hancock (Granny Pat): Kyle's grandmother. She contributes to the bond between her grandson and the dog. Her death has a negative impact on Kyle.
• Duncan Preston (Grandpa Jim): Kyle's grandfather. Together with his grandmother, he tries to help his grandson communicate with the animal.
• Lorraine Pilkington (Rachel): One of the side characters, representing the relationships with other members of the family circle.
• Clive Mantle (John Havers) and Noma Dumezweni (Paula Murray): Supporting side characters, reflecting the non-family social environment in the story.

Similarly, the other characters in the film represent the family, school and community environment and form the elements that shape Kyle's relationships with his environment.

Awards and Nominations

The film won the Magnolia Award - TV Movie Grand Jury Prize at the Shanghai International TV Festival in 2007. At the same festival, director Simon Shore was nominated for “Best Direction for a Television Film”.