ipl-logo

The Accurate Portray Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Forest Gump

1778 Words8 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Effects of autism on development and education

The Accurate Portray of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Forest Gump Casey Rogers Boston University Health and Disability Across the Lifespan Professor Franco March 31st, 2023 Forest Gump, a film premiering in in 1994, follows the main character and narrator Forest throughout provocative events of the 20th century. It is apparent from the beginning of the film that Forest has a disability of some sort, but only being described as “low IQ”. While the film follows Forest’s life from childhood to middle adulthood, only his life stage of young adulthood will be examined in this paper. Forest Gump accurately portrays a young adult with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who is in little need of supplementary support. The characterization …show more content…

Focusing on Forest as a young adult, this period is characterized by the rapid changes that happen during an individual’s life. Young adulthood is the most common time that a person leaves the support system of their family and goes out on their own, either going to college or some other individual venture (Santrock, 2021, p.410). This is a time when the induvial can explore new things without the supervision of a guardian, whether that be for the better or worse. (Santrock, 2021, p.411). However, young adults with ASD often have difficulties and delays with young adulthood, especially the transition from adolescents to young adulthood and social participation (Volkmar and Solomon, 2023). Typically, the rates of employment and continuing onto higher education are low among young adults with ASD (Shatuk et. al, 2012). Most young adults with ASD live with their parents, and many report a lack of friends and peers, as their friends from adolescents leave to pursue employment or higher education. (Hendricks and Wehman, 2009) However, Forest seems to demonstrate the opposite of many of these trends in his young adulthood. Forest is popular with friends, attending the University of Alabama, and on the UA football team. Another characteristic of young adulthood is experimenting with sex, drugs, and alcohol, which Forest also demonstrates in his young adult period. (Santrock, 2021, p.417- 421) In general, Forest remains able to reach all of the major milestones of a young adult while navigating his

Show More
Related
1229 Words | 5 Pages

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) a complex effect in brain development has limited many from having the opportunity to live a healthy, normal and stress free life. Today, the pervasiveness of ASD in society has gained momentum. The article, The Epidemiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder, by Newschaffer et al claims that it is “second only to mental retardation as the most common serious developmental disabilities in the United States (2006, p. 21.2).” In an objective but yet deliberate tone, this scientific article states that those who were born with this neurodevelopmental disorder lack skills in social interactions, communication and possess a limited and reoccurring pattern in behavior. The word “spectrum” in ASD refers to the wide range of

Read More
758 Words | 4 Pages

Autism is described in a uniform way as opposed to being unique disorder for anyone diagnosed, hence the “Spectrum” in Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to studies, only “aproximately 40% of children with ASD do not talk (CDC, 2010)” (Hewitt. et al 2012). The documentary used personal anecdotes only to try to prove that facilitative communication was an advancement in autism studies.

Read More
1030 Words | 5 Pages

The importance of self-advocacy and providing a supportive and empowering environment for individuals with autism are both emphasized in the book. Self-advocacy plays a crucial role in enabling autistic individuals to share their stories, question social norms, and lessen stigma. Accurate information, the dismantling of preconceptions, and the encouragement of empathy are necessary to boost these efforts. The book gives a distinct viewpoint and may help the reader get insightful knowledge. On the other side, the use of rhetorical ideas and complex vocabulary limits those who are unfamiliar with the idea of neurological queerness.

Read More
337 Words | 2 Pages

Born on a Blue Day, a memoir, by Daniel Tammet, provides an enlightening view into the mind of a 27-year-old British savant with Asperger’s syndrome impairing Tammet's ability to cogitate conceptually, deviate from routine, commiserate, and interact with others yet, he is able to perform prodigious feats of anamnesis and mental arithmetics. Tammet discerns that he is quaint in the eyes of other even stating “Often autism is portrayed in the media as a very negative condition. . .” albeit he mounts himself aloft stereotypes and discloses that ediosyncrinces are what make us human while apprising his experience of discovering his eccentricity, encased in disabilities. To illustrate this, Tammet articulated “. . .the

Read More
1576 Words | 7 Pages

New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concludes that with a 30 percent increase in the past two years, 1 in 68 U.S. children have been diagnosed with ASD concluding that early intervention can greatly improve a child’s long-term development and social behaviors (Autism 2014). There are several factors that may contribute to the rising prevalence rate of ASD. Like other disabilities, the occurrence rate of ASD for boys is five times higher than it is for girls. There could be several reasons for this disparity (Hallahan, Kauffman, Pullen, 2015, pp. 211). An article in Times Magazine entitled “Why Girls May be Protected Against Autism” explores why this may be the case.

Read More
710 Words | 3 Pages

Arnie’s inability to abide by societal norms not only makes establishing relationships for him hard but also makes him unaware of other’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and that they can differ from his. Furthermore, Arnie displays adaptational failure where he should already have reached age-appropriate developmental milestones. Seventeen-year-old Arnie is unable to take a bath by himself, dress himself, listen and obey when spoken to and understand the viewpoint and feelings of others. Furthermore, Arnie is often seen playing with age-inappropriate toys and frolicking around catching insects. It should be noted, however, that Arnie’s ability to talk and do other everyday things does

Read More
1480 Words | 6 Pages

The ESDM attempts to provide a learning opportunity within every social exchange, as frequent as every 10 seconds (Dawson & Rogers, 2010). Intensive teaching provides children with ASD to learn at a rapid rate of achievement (Dawson & Rogers,

Read More
1765 Words | 8 Pages

One of the first movies that brought awareness to autism spectrum disorder, was the 1988 film Rain Man. Portrayed by Tom Cruise, Charlie Babbitt is an arrogant and selfish Los Angeles car dealer who struggles with financial insecurities after struggling to import foreign cars for his clients. After his father’s death, the will leaves Charlie with an old car and a few rose bushes, while the rest of the 3 million dollar estate is given to an unknown trustee. After careful investigation, Charlie discovers that he has a brother, whom will inherit the rest of the estates fortune. This brother, Raymond Babbitt as portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and is an autistic savant.

Read More
1461 Words | 6 Pages

She accomplishes this incredible difficult task by showing all of the success that she has found in her personal as well as professional life. As the reader makes their way through each line of text in each paragraph, the sentiment becomes more and more evident; autism is not a death sentence. Grandin proves that through hard work, creativity and much resilience, many people with autism can learn to compensate and in fact thrive while doing so. She truly squashes the ideas that media as portrayed as the effects of autism and through a transformative process, allows the reader to see the real person and people behind

Read More
795 Words | 4 Pages

We live in a modern era: one that allows us to learn about and accept personal disabilities and limitations that were previously hidden from the public or even institutionalized. In Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, a fifteen-year old boy named Christopher shares his life with autism. The book leads the reader to believe the main themes revolve around a murder mystery, but as Christopher begins to investigate, he starts to uncover more than he bargained for. Although Christopher believes in acting logically, he struggles to do so in action.

Read More
906 Words | 4 Pages

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" not only sheds light on the experiences of individuals with ASD but also challenges societal norms and perceptions. It questions our definition of "normal" and invites us to embrace differences with compassion and respect. By presenting Christopher's story with honesty and authenticity, Haddon encourages readers to reevaluate their understanding of neurodiversity and to foster a more inclusive

Read More
1311 Words | 6 Pages

Weston High School’s peer mentorship program provides a constructive relationship for students with intellectual challenges that helps them navigate through the obstacles of high school. The main focus of a mentor is to help make the mentee more comfortable in an environment that is extremely stressful for them. Throughout high school, people with Autism, specifically Asperger's Syndrome, struggle because they are hypersensitive to some things (“Helping Children with Autism” 2) and have problems socially interacting with their peers (Volkmar & Kim 152). The mentors need to stay with their mentee throughout the school day and help guide them through any problems that they encounter. Also, one of the main goals of the relationship with the mentees

Read More
1271 Words | 6 Pages

The dissertation outlined the implementation of forest schools to support inclusivity for autistic children aged 3 to five year olds in the UK. This research explores recent studies on the perceptions of autism, emphasising that some authors are challenging the conventional understanding of autism as a disorder and arguing that it should instead be viewed as a natural variance in neurophysiology. It suggests that the promotion of a neurodivergent approach to autism is needed to encourage inclusivity and that improved awareness in education is required to create a supportive, inclusive learning environment. Additionally, it recognises the Forest School as an approach to integrate into schools to create an inclusive learning environment. It considers

Read More
1415 Words | 6 Pages

Furthermore, public acknowledgment of people with a disability is either ignored or spotlighted so significantly that the person feels like they stand out in the crowd unnecessarily. DiCaprio’s character, Arnie who has autism portrays stereotypical behavioural traits of a person with the disability. Throughout the film, it can be analysed that Arnie constantly fidgets with his hands, cannot sit still and has difficulty following basic instructions which can all be examined as stereotypical characteristics of a person with autism. Obviously Hallstrom had a bias and stereotypically view on the behaviour of those with autism as Arnie behaved like a child, no clear independence as his brother, Gilbert had to wash him and put him to bed every night. Socially, Arnie was in need of constant supervision as he had a tendency to perform acts that were previously recognised as inappropriate.

Read More
997 Words | 4 Pages

The movie I decided to go with is Forrest Gump. This movie is one out of the many movies that portrays an individual with a disability. Forrest Gump had an intellectual disability which stems from a mental disorder. His disability is highly noticeable throughout the movie. According to, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, “Intellectual disability is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior, which covers many everyday social and practical skills.”

Read More

More about The Accurate Portray Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Forest Gump

Related Topics

Open Document