Let me be me

Let Me Be Me tells the story of Kyle Westphal and his family’s deeply personal journey after learning that their six year old son was on the autism spectrum. As a child, Kyle withdrew from the world around him, often wrapping himself in layers of fabric and blankets as a form of comfort and protection. Determined to connect with their son, his parents embarked on a radical and compassionate approach, choosing to join Kyle in his unique behaviors rather than trying to change them. Two decades later, the family reflects on that journey with candor and humor as Kyle grows into adulthood and pursues a career as a fashion designer. The film explores identity, acceptance, and the power of meeting someone exactly where they are.

The film was an Official Selection of DOC NYC 2023.

Kyle served as Assistant Editor on the feature documentary.