https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl A Case Study of Albert "Whats Eating Gilbert Grape" en-us 2018-11-18 17:35:28 UTC 2025-12-05 00:48:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Lightdecrease.png jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305687022 Arnie Gilbert is a 17 year old young man with the developmental disability known as Autism. He is cared for by his family mainly his brother Gilbert Grape which is a huge responsibility for him and sometimes to much to handle along with caring for his family. Arnie must have huge levels of support to function and complete daily tasks.  Arnie is incapable of differentiating the difference between right and wrong. He does not express himself or communicate appropriately with others. Arnie requires constant guidance and supervision or he will run off to climb the water tower or go climb the tree. He can be considered be a danger to himself and others. Arnie has very little understanding of his surroundings or personal space. Throughout the film he is often captured hitting his head, having no regards for emotions or feelings, becoming easily frustrated, and running away. Arnie struggles to comply and understand social expectations. ]]> 2018-11-18 17:56:33 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305687022 jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305693098

The comparison between medical and social models of disability leads into asking questions such as "what is the origin of disability", "where is disability located", "is it located within the individual or within society"?  Please check out the below website

https://www.scope.org.uk/about-us/our-brand/social-model-of-disability

The Medical Model of disability focuses on finding the "problem" being in the person that needs to be fixed. Use of the medical model limits recognition of any other factors that would paralyze the person other than the individuals own physical or mental issues. In the movie "What's eating Gilbert Grape" Arnie was never properly taught how to function independently. He was addressed as a child even though he was turning 18 years of age. Though he did have Autism throughout the movie there were several actions demonstrated that showed me with guidance and consistent practice in certain area's of his life he could care for himself, and make better decisions. However, because of the lack of knowledge his family members assumed that due to his diagnosis that would never be possible and was treated as such
The Social Model of Disability moves the disability away from the individual and into social structures. Within this model there is recognition for how social attitudes, environment, and treatment of the person play major factors to the creation of that disability (sciencedirect.come reference). Arnie's quality of life would have been enhanced tremendously if his family was educated on the ideals within The Social Model ]]> 2018-11-18 18:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305693098 jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305713288 1.During the introduction of the character as "Gilbert" he reflected on his life and responsibility for his brother Arnie who has the developmental disability known as Autism as a "problem" speaking about his brothers condition saying that he wasn't suppose to live as long as he did according to doctors. He expressed that someday's he wished that he Arnie wouldn't live. This subconsciously sends the message to viewers that his brother's disability is a burden which also subconsciously sends the message to viewers that people with disabilities as a whole is a burden
2. In the beginning of the film Arnie's disability was seen as a terminal illness which is inaccurate. Having a disability does not mean the person is terminally i
3. Arnie appears to be gullible having little regard for personal space. He is often seen being very unaware, crying, running away, and his hitting his head.
4. The character Arnie had severe Autism, however was not portrayed as being crazy, but as an individual that needs extreme levels of support
5. Arnie is portrayed as being an overly happy individual which demonstrates a positive view of disabled individuals instead of assuming that because of there disability they are miserable
6. Arnie's family especially his brother Gilbert demonstrates love, care, and concern for Arnie. His well-being many times is the focus of the film 
7. The relationship between Arnie and his family is for the most part reflected in a positive manner, however there are instances within the move due to "lack of education" he does receive maltreatment from his siblings 
8. The town who is uneducated about disabled individuals see's Arnie as a "crazy person and a problem. When he was discovered climbing the water tower in the movie and taken down instead of making sure he was cared for he roughly handled, thrown in the back of the police car, and taken to jail
9. Arnie was always seen with his disability first not as a individual
Language
1. Arnie was very vocal and many times spoke with repetitive use of language
2. Arnie spoke with no regards to feelings or emotions
3.  The terminology and language through out the film was appropriate most times yet inappropriate at others using words such as retard to describe the disabled character
4. Family members did not use age appropriate language when speaking to Arnie. He was consistently spoken to as a child 
5. There was no use of People first language when speaking to Arnie]]> 2018-11-18 20:56:11 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/305713288 jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/306565578 1. Gilbert was a huge source of social support for Arnie. However, he had minimal social support for himself
2.  Girlberts female friend  Becky offers Arnie social support once she built a relationship with Gilbert and Arnie. This was noticeable after Gilbert punched Arnie due to frustration. Becky became a source of social/emotional support for Arnie
3.The community in Endora in which the Grape family receives NO social support They are viewed as strange and crazy even taking Arnie to jail after he climbed the water tower to many times

]]> 2018-11-21 00:00:27 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/306565578 jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/307105540 Practice
1. The Gilbert Family needs to undergo family counseling as well as individual and individual grief counseling.
2. Gilbert's mother needs to have her depression and anxiety addressed.
3. The Gilbert family adults needs to connected to employment services and job training
4. Recommendation for Arnie to experience speech therapy and also anger management therapy

Policy
-The Gilbert family was not financially capable of providing any financial support for themselves or Arnie to receive treatment to help him progress in his life. At the time when this movie was developed the support for individuals living with Autism was non existent.  The Autism Society is one of many organizations that fight to influence public policy so that people like Arnie can receive the education, care, and treatment he deserves at no cost to the family

http://www.autism-society.org/public-policy/

Ethical Issues

1. Central Importance of Human Relationships- Several times throughout "Whats Eating Gilbert Grape" Arnie was treated worthless or as a problem because his disability was misunderstood. As a Social Worker it is our job to address these issues with the family and ensure that they are provided with the necessary necessary education and access to treatment to improve there interaction with Arnie as a family

https://youtu.be/9aIZYkMjW88

2. Social Injustice- The town avoided the Grape family. They were treated as outcasts. Arnie was treated as problem by the police department. In one specific situation being aware of his disability he was taken to jail instead of given back in the care of his family after being found wandering in an off limits location (top of water tower). It is our professional responsibility to advocate for the sensitivity to issues of discrimination as well as cultural diversity



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Haegele, J. A., & Hodge, S. (2016). Disability Discourse: Overview and Critiques of the Medical and Social Models. Quest, 68(2), 193-206. doi:10.1080/00336297.2016.1143849

Mackelprang, R.W. & Salsgiver, R. O. (2015). Disability: A diversity model approach in Human Service Practice. (3rd ed.). Chicago: Lyceum Books, Inc. 

Sarason, I. G., & Sarason, B. R. (2009). Social support: Mapping the construct.      Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 26(1), 113-120. doi:10.1177/0265407509105526

Saunders, B. S., Tilford, J. M., Fussell, J. J., Schulz, E. G., Casey, P. H., & Kuo, D. Z. (2015). Financial and employment impact of intellectual disability on families of children with autism. Families, Systems, & Health, 33(1), 36–45. https://doi-org.proxy181.nclive.org/10.1037/fsh0000102

Tracy, E. M., & Whittaker, J. K. (1990). The Social Network Map: Assessing Social   Support in Clinical Practice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 71(8), 461-470. doi:10.1177/104438949007100802


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Gilbert Grape
- Made Arnie feel love and cared for
- Treated Arnie as a brother and a friend
-  Protected Arnie 
-  Felt sympathy and showed empathy for Arnie

Bonnie Grape
- Provided Emotional Support for Arnie
- Protected Arnie
- Showed Empathy for Arnie

Amy Grape
-Loved Arnie
- Protected Arnie
- Emotionally supported Arnie
- Patient 
- Responsible

Becky (Gilberts Friend)
- Provided Friendship to Arnie
- Treated Arnie like a person first and not his disability
- Provided comfort for Arnie 
-  Played with Arnie
-  Encouraged Arnie
-  Provided Emotional Support for Arnie 

Town 
- Look at Arnie as CRAZY
- Provided no Social Support at all for the Grape Family


]]> 2018-11-29 13:15:54 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/309252902 jenk2214 https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/309274082                                                            AUDIO]]> 2018-11-29 13:55:21 UTC https://padlet.com/jenk2214/ynhzk8ddonyl/wish/309274082