And so it also goes with autism. It's a mysterious condition that strikes at what makes us human. Our ability to communicate and interact on an emotional level with our people is core to who we are. The thought of a loved one being born without that capability is as sad a possibility as most of us can imagine.

I have a nephew with severe autism, and many of the lowest moments of my life are connected with his challenges. It's tough to watch someone you love struggle with the simplest of challenges, the ones that most of us take for granted. It's difficult to think that he won't experience the joys of a rich existence. His first date, a sleepover at a friend's house. He's not going to walk down the aisle, or graduate from college. It's a life that has possibilities, but so many challenges that just the thought of the hurdles is enough to paralyze the average person.

The sadness of autism also explains why so much of the coverage of those with the condition focuses on the not-so-common savants. The autistic man who can also solve crime, or create magical works of art. That ability makes us feel better about the options for the autistic, and that's a life that's easier for us to think about.

MTV's documentary series "True Life" focuses on three autistic teens this week, and it's a tribute to the series that the hour doesn't just highlight three guys getting through life without any challenges. The show follows one teen who's profoundly impacted by autism, one who is indeed a savant, and one who has a mild case of Ausperger's. They have three different destinies, but their common ailment is what binds the stories together.

Jeremy is a high-school teen who is essentially unable to speak. He's non-verbal, compulsively shy and affected by his surroundings. The fact that he has been able to remain somewhat integrated into a normal school environment is a tribute to his parents and caregivers.

Still, he had been unable to communicate his thoughts until his mother helped teach him to use a small keyboard to slowly spell out words. The process is laborious, but with the addition of a LiteWriter-a small keyboard that reads the text he writes-Jacob has slowly begun to communicate with his classmates.

But the communication is a two-edged sword. He has also been able to communicate his sadness at not having close friends, and much of his footage revolves around his desire to throw his first birthday party ever.

For Jonathan, the challenge is different. He can talk, and seems moderately comfortable around people. He's a savant, with a fantastic ability to sketch. He's participated in several New York art shows, and at first glance, seems to be on the road to success.

But at nineteen he is still so dependent on his parents, and struggles daily to fit into the normal world. He's cognizant of the fact that he's different from most people, but seems unable to resolve that issue to his satisfaction. In recent months, the frustration has built to the point where he is having increasingly frequent fits. His frustration brings him to an anger and spontaneous shouting that will be familiar to anyone who has ever been around an autistic child.

His part of the episode focuses on dual challenges. Attempting to control the outbursts, while also preparing for a new art show. He's aided by his parents, who somehow manage to steer their teen through his moods, as he quickly swings from a coherent young adult to a small child who needs comfort and aid. As the art show approaches, his tension increases, and theses scenes are perhaps the saddest of anything in the show. His curling up in bed to distress, or his plaintive muttering of "Help me, Dad," as he tries to calm his nerves tug at the heartstrings. It's tough to watch, but it's an honest portrayal of what he's going through on a daily basis.

The third story focuses on Elijah, a young teen who is only mildly affected by the disease. His main outward manifestation of his Aspberger's syndrome is a peculiar way of talking, He speaks with a slightly flattened and dull tone, which is an obvious challenge for a teen who wants to do stand-up comedy.

His segments focus on his attempts to work on an act he can do at the upcoming Comedy and Arts Festival in Colorado. He's being advised to talk about autism in his act, but it's a challenge for someone who prefers to ignore the subject in public situations.

Elijah's segments are interesting enough, but also feel the most staged. It's not clear why he received his comedy festival invitation, but given how difficult it can be to get in, I suspect it had something to do with this documentary. The entire thing doesn't seem obviously staged, but it's not especially satisfying to watch.

Overall, "True Stories: I Have Autism" is a deeply moving and informative hour of television. Sadly, odds are increasing that someone you know will be impacted by autism, and this special is a good starting point to understanding how the disorder impacts both the person suffering with it, as well as their family and loved ones.

"True Life: I Have Autism" premieres on MTV on Saturday, March 17th, 2007.