Activity
Intellectual Disability: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (Movie)
Est. Time: 2 Hours Viewing/45 Minutes Class Time
Objective
Gain a better understanding of the characteristics and needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Synopsis
Gilbert Grape lives in a small town with his younger sister, his obese mother, and his brother Arnie, who has an intellectual disability. As a young adult, Gilbert becomes the head of the family and must provide for them and act as his brother’s primary caretaker. When Gilbert falls in love with Becky, who is passing through town with her grandmother, he begins to readjust his priorities but feels guilty for putting his needs before those of his family.
For Your Information
To learn more about intellectual disabilities, visit:
- Intellectual Disability (Center for Parent Information and Resources)
- Intellectual Disability (American Speech-Language Hearing Association)
Activity
View the following movie and be prepared to discuss the questions below in class.
Title: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Studio: Paramount
- In this film, Arnie has an intellectual disability. Which of his behaviors are characteristic of an individual with an intellectual disability?
- What experiences challenge Arnie’s adaptive skills (those that allow an individual to function in daily life)?
- Think about Arnie’s needs.
- What types of support would you recommend for him?
- How could Arnie’s family access these supports?
- Imagine that you have a sibling with an intellectual disability.
- What would you find the most difficult?
- What would you find the most rewarding?
