A one-hour drama about a family with a young child who has just been diagnosed with autism is headed to television.

SundanceTV will air the six-episode series “The A-Word” later this year.

Described as “thought-provoking and lighthearted,” the show focuses on 5-year-old Joe, who is newly-diagnosed on the spectrum, and his parents Paul and Alison who are struggling with different child-rearing approaches.

In addition, the drama follows Joe’s aunt and uncle who are working to overcome unfaithfulness in their marriage and the boy’s widower grandfather who owns the family brewery.

“‘The A-Word’ is exactly the kind of intimate, unique and emotionally impactful story we want to showcase on SundanceTV,” said Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV. “It’s hopeful, honest and ultimately about the power of family, and the range of issues that families can face together, from autism to aging to adultery.”

The show, which will premiere this spring on BBC One in the United Kingdom before airing on SundanceTV, is based on an Israeli series called “Yellow Peppers.”

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