The Golden Hat Foundation, an Austin-based nonprofit seeking to raise the level of awareness of the autism spectrum disorder and the potential autistic individuals possess, has developed a global presence in the time since it launched.

The organization raised international awareness through a 2009 documentary titled "The Sunshine Boy: Unlocking An Autistic Mind."

The critically acclaimed documentary film was produced by foundation co-founder Margret Ericsdottir.

The film, narrated by Kate Winslet, an Academy Award–winning actress and foundation co-founder, detailed Ericsdottir's quest to understand her nonverbal autistic son, Keli. The film was picked up by HBO and renamed "A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism," said Thor Gudbrandsson, the foundation's chief operating officer.

Gudbrandsson, who is married to Ericsdottir and is Keli's father, said the film took four years to complete and chronicles the family's move from Iceland to Austin to provide educational support for Keli.

The idea to have Winslet, known for her role in "Titanic," narrate the film in English came from Dorrit Moussaieff, a family friend and first lady of Iceland, Gudbrandsson said.

"Through her connections in the U.K., [Moussaieff] was able to get the DVD in the hands of Winslet. She watched it with her daughter and immediately agreed to do the narration," Gudbrandsson said.

Making a name

The organization takes its name from a moment of serendipity.

Gudbrandsson said on the night Winslet came up with a plan to pass a favorite hat and old camera around to A-list celebrities for a self-portrait book, Keli, who was 12 at the time, wrote a poem about a magical golden hat.

The book, "The Golden Hat: Talking Back to Autism," was published in March 2012 and features photos and quotes from actor George Clooney and musician Elton John, among others.

"So we thought, 'This is not a coincidence; this is the namesake for the foundation; we'll call it The Golden Hat Foundation, and there was never anything else discussed,'" Gudbrandsson said.

Gathering support

The organization has about 100 supporters in the Austin area who help with foundation events. In 2012 the foundation hosted a United Nations program on the topic of autism as part of World Autism Awareness Day at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Gudbrandsson said.

"We had a panel discussion on autism and intellectual capabilities of people with autism. We brought in a number of specialists in the field. There was [also] a special screening of our film," he said.

More recently, the foundation held its second annual Walk for Autism at The Dell Diamond in Round Rock on May 17. About 500 people participated in events that day, Gudbrandsson said.

The foundation has raised more than $500,000 for autism awareness initiatives through events such as a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City last November.

Gudbrandsson said that with 100 million people throughout the world on the autism spectrum, the Golden Hat Foundation's goals promoting awareness will become even more pressing.

"There is a lack of availability of services—this is not an Austin problem or a U.S. problem," he said. "This is a global issue."

See the movie

Margret Ericsdottir's documentary, "A Mother's Courage: Talking Back to Autism," was directed by Academy Award nominee Fridrik Fridriksson and features music by Icelandic pop stars Sigur Rs and Bjrk. The movie is available online via Netflix's streaming service and for digital purchase through iTunes and Vudu.

TGHF meetings

The foundation also organizes local support meetings for parents of autistic children. Sharing Helpful Autism Resources and Experiences, or SHARE, is a breakfast group at which families can meet to share resources and experiences. SHARE meets every third Thursday except for holidays at Maudie's Hill Country restaurant, 12506 Shops Parkway, Bee Cave. For more information, visit, www.meetup.com/goldenhatfoundation

The Golden Hat Foundation, 7301 N. RR 620, Ste. 155, Austin, www.goldenhatfoundation.org, [email protected], [email protected]