Synopsis

What’s Next for Jayden is an intimate, character-driven documentary that follows the unfiltered life of a single mother and her young son who lives with Level 3 autism. Through observational footage and reflective interviews, the film explores the profound highs and lows of their shared journey.

At its center is a mother whose love is fierce, resourceful, and endlessly resilient. Viewers witness the challenges she navigates, from communication barriers to sensory overloads, escalating behaviors, social isolation, and the constant balancing act between running a law practice and providing 24/7 care. The film also underscores how Level 3 autism remains the least understood, least discussed, and most excluded from mainstream autism research.

Yet, within the challenges lie moments of beauty: small breakthroughs, calming rituals, and a unique, unspoken bond between mother and child. What’s Next for Jayden is a testament to devotion, grit, and the quiet power of showing up every single day—without mythmaking or blame—to expand society’s understanding of the children who need it most.

Watch the Trailer

Meet the Filmmakers

Director & Producer

Sal DelGiudice

Sal DelGiudice is a multi-award-winning, New Jersey-based director and producer whose work is driven by a passion for authentic, character-focused storytelling. He believes documentary filmmaking has the power to illuminate the human experience, challenge perspectives, and foster meaningful connections.

Through thoughtful storytelling and cinematic craftsmanship, Sal brings compelling people, places, and issues into focus. His films explore the resilience, complexity, and humanity of their subjects, giving voice to stories that might otherwise go untold. By combining creativity with a deep commitment to truth and integrity, he creates documentaries that inform, inspire, and spark conversations long after the credits roll.

Whether examining personal journeys or larger social issues, Sal's goal is always the same: to create films that resonate emotionally, encourage empathy, and leave a lasting impact.

Selected Filmography

What's Next for Jayden
Money Ball: The Hunt for the Shot Heard Around the World
Long Island Uncovered
Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns: To Make a Long Story Short
RAINN Survivor Series
Walking Through Purgatory: An Ex-Offender's Struggle with Re-entry

Producer

Melissa Aguanno

Melissa Aguanno is an attorney, advocate, and first-time documentary filmmaker. Before attending law school, she worked with youth in the foster care system and adults with developmental disabilities, experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable populations. She is also the mother of an adult daughter whom she adopted from the foster care system.

As a criminal defense attorney, she has devoted her career to representing individuals in crisis.

As the mother of her son, Jayden, who has profound autism, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by families caring for loved ones with the highest support needs.

Determined to shine a light on a community that is rarely represented in film, Melissa co-created What’s Next for Jayden? Through intimate storytelling, she hopes to increase awareness of profound autism, challenge misconceptions, and inspire greater understanding and support for individuals who cannot speak for themselves.