Introduction
This essay will review the movie “Down in The Delta” that deals with the depiction of autism. It is an interesting movie that seeks to enlighten the viewer ON the plight of a young mother (Loretta) whose daughter is diagnosed with autism. Her struggles are explained in the difficulties she faces in raising her children, especially after her husband runs away upon learning about the condition of his daughter. The essay will be helpful in learning the stereotypes that are associated with autism by answering some questions that will guide this understanding.
Does the movie support the current legislation or historical position regarding exceptional children? Explain how this fits into class readings etc.
The movie supports a historical position with regard to exceptional children. It talks of Loretta, a woman devoid of any self-respect and lacking in self-confidence. This personal negative crisis is exacerbated by her being deserted by her husband after discovering that their daughter Tracy was autistic. This is invariably the case when parents discover that a child has some form of disability. Most parents, especially fathers, have a tendency to run in such events. In the absence of the father, a child with a disability as well as the parent that remains go through phases of self-rejection and suffering.
Regarding how the film fits into class readings, it is an important representation of a typical reaction of parents when a child with a disability enters the family. It is helpful to students in making them aware of the stereotypes associated with such conditions and provides students with good knowledge of how to best react to such situations.
What are the areas of exceptionalities of the characters in the movie?
The areas of exceptionality are:
Behavior – Excessive fear and anxiety is seen in Loretta and in her husband, who, though under different contexts, seem to give up on how to raise their children. This throws Loretta into compulsive drinking and self-abuse, which effectively affects her children.
Communication – Loretta’s communication is seemingly hampered by her frustrations as she resorts to drinking and substance abuse. Additionally, she is seen as unable to control her son, who toys with the idea of carrying a gun. It is her mother’s intervention that saves her son. Additionally, the escape of Loretta’s husband points to hampered communication due to her autistic daughter, a responsibility that compels her husband to run.
There is also a physical exception as Tracy requires special assistance to help her learn and talk, due to her developmental disability.
Describe how the movie supports latest, trends, techniques and research that relate to exceptional children and/or diverse learners. If movie is lacking provide recommendations which support latest trends
The movie supports the latest research trends and techniques in relating to exceptional children. The movie communicates to the viewer the importance of any parent understanding the special needs of children with disabilities and the necessity of both parents being present to manage such a situation. The latest research also emphasizes on the importance of both parents being around to help such children and in effect, to bear each other up.
This is geared at relinquishing the negative stereotypes that surround autistic children, especially since most people consider them stupid. Accordingly, the acceptance of the autistic child by Loretta, her mother and her uncle go a long way to show that such children should not be left out of the family setting, but that they should be given a place to grow from in order to find themselves.
How did the public and private agencies depicted in the movie provide programs and services to meet the needs of the exceptional population – Identify the agencies
The movie mainly employs the use of private agencies to meet the needs of the exceptional children. For instance, the adults, whom I refer to as the private agencies in this movie, inadvertently provide programs to address the needs of special children. By accepting to live with these children despite their disabilities, the viewer is able to relate this to the importance of being there for such children.
The movie itself is a public agency that helps to address the often overlooked issue of the underrepresentation in the media of impaired children, a factor that would be highly beneficial in addressing the stereotypes such children face. Constant presentation of such issues to the masses would result in more people being aware of what to do in such circumstances, hence providing a way of coping and adjustment for these children.
Describe how environmental factors helped or contributed to the success or failure of the exceptional characters
Environmental factors played a role in contributing to the success or potential failure of the exceptional characters. For example, Loretta’s son is a photographer who nonetheless runs the risk of being a gun-toting criminal, a common feature in his environment. Environment also plays a role in saving Loretta’s children as she makes the resolve to go spend the summer with her uncle, Earl. This break is also important for her as she is able to momentarily hold back on her self-destructive inclinations.
Identify stressors that impacted the families in the movie and how did they impact the family structure
Some of the stressors impacting the family in the movie were:
Fatherlessness – The absence of Loretta’s husband threw a negative spin into the daily life of the family. It deeply affected Loretta, who subsequently resorted to heavy drinking and drugs to ease her constant frustration.
Autism – Autism was also a stressor to Loretta’s family as she solely bore the burden of coping with her autistic child. This affected Loretta’s health, and this momentarily made her not even to want to seek reprieve at her uncles’ place.
Drugs and alcohol – These also impacted the family negatively as Loretta’s children could not rely on their mother to effectively look after them, which caused her son to be distracted by negative outside influences.
Explain examples in the movie of accommodations in the classroom or workplace for exceptional characters in the movie
An example of accommodation for the exceptional characters is when Loretta was accepted by her mother to live in her place, despite Loretta being single and unemployed. Her mother also accepts Loretta to live with her children in her place, and her mother is the one who advises Loretta to take her children to her uncle’s place so that they could get a better life and avoid the negativity surrounding their mother’s life.
Another example is when Loretta’s uncle (Earl) allows her and her children to live in his place, despite the disagreement between him and Loretta’s mother. Another example of accommodation of an exceptional character occurs in Loretta’s uncle’s acceptance of Annie, a child who lives with him and has Alzheimer’s disease. Earl sees to it that Annie is well-looked after by a caretaker (Zenia) as he works.
Conclusion
I agree with the movie that it is imperative for both parents to be present when dealing with an impaired child. Numerous assertions by other authors, especially those that have produced movies that deal with autism assert on the importance of the same. Moreover, the movie highlights the importance of having the extended family as they are able to bear the heavy load of managing an impairment such as autism. It has successfully changed my opinion and sensitized me on the importance of being considerate for children with special needs.
Reference
Angelou, M. (Director). (1998). Down in the Delta [Movie]. United States: Miramax Films.
