Assignment task: Students will select and view a film or documentary that depicts the life of an individual with a developmental disability. (Examples of films/documentaries have been provided below). The students will write a 3 to 4 page paper addressing all of the aspects of the film/documentary listed in the bullet points below. This paper should be double-spaced, with 12 size, Times New Roman font and APA style referencing is required.
(See grading rubric for more details)
Students should be able to identify the following, while providing examples from the film:
1. Review of the film/documentary:
- The disability portrayed
- The symptoms experienced and unique needs of the individual with the disability
- Challenges faced by the individual
- Functional limitations in areas such as self-care, communication, etc.
- Negative life experiences as result of the developmental disability
- Reactions from community and society
- The role of the family and other support systems
- Overcoming barriers as a result of the developmental disability
- Impact of developmental disability on individual and family functioning
- Problems with transitional periods in their lives
2. Application of knowledge and skills (Provide at least two peer-reviewed research articles that will support your ideas to the following questions):
- If you were the individual(s) case manager/disability consultant, what would be your recommendations?
- What services would you suggest the individual(s) be provided with that would meet his/her specific needs?
- How can you support the individual(s) to get connected within his/her community?
- Explain the assessment process in diagnosing the developmental disability portrayed. What would you have done differently?
- Address any cultural factors in the experience of the individual(s) disability.
- What kinds of things would have benefited the individual(s) with the developmental disability?
- What kinds of things would have benefited the individual(s) family?
3. Reflection/Reaction:
- Personal reaction to the film/documentary and how the developmental disability was portrayed.
- How might this film/documentary affect you as a service provider as it relates to the developmental disability?
- Did you learn anything new about the developmental disability?
Examples of films: What's Eating Gilbert Grape; Mozart and the Whale; Temple Grandin; Molly; I Am Sam; My Left Foot
Examples of HBO documentaries: Monica and David