Introduction
The challenge posed by autism has indeed become a complex issue in society today. As such, individuals, families and even governments often go through great distress in seeking ways to manage this complication and live with affected individuals. It is against this backdrop that this paper presents a succinct analysis of Charlie, an autistic character in the movie “The Black Balloon”. In this movie, Charlie is an autistic adolescent boy suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). During instances when Charlie feels like going to school, he attends a special school within the new neighborhood they recently moved in.
Charman (2003, p. 319) argues that an effective health system is critical to facilitate pro-activeness in addressing health-related problems. Of critical importance in this case is Autism. Though its causes remain unclear to date, the disorder has devastating implications to affected individuals and families (Charman 2003, p 319). The disorder is however, linked to genes development and depicted through poor communication and social interaction. Effective understanding of research findings on individuals with autism form the best method for psychologists’ ability to comprehend processes involved in perception. It is against this consideration that this paper evaluates and discusses psychosocial and developmental aspects from the movie “The Black Balloon”. The paper further examines the cognitive, psychological, social, emotional, and physical implications in the character of Charlie.
Theories on autism
Several theories have been developed that explain reasons and behaviors related to autism. Such theories include Free Sulphate Theory and the Opioid Excess Theory. In the latter case, it states that individuals suffering from autism are often symptomatic. The theory indicates that it is as a result of excess opioid in their biological systems. The effect of such substances is that negative effects to the brain can be experienced and which may later develop to autism. It is imperative to note that the effects of opioid-like substances such as Deltophin II, Desmorphine and A-Gladin and other opioids on hormones and their regulations are dangerous. For instance, opioids tend to diminish the stimulation of corticosterone, Luteinising Hormone (LH) and ACTH. Instead, an opiate antagonist called Naxolone assumes the release of ACTH in the hypothalamus (Charman 2003, p. 324). Biologically, the brain of Charlie, its structure and functions may have been atypically altered, disorganized or damaged due to excess opioids. As such, his autism could be attributed to under-activity of his cognitive capacity, brain damage and defects.
The other theory is the free sulphate theory. It indicates that the plasma of autistic individuals has low levels of free sulphate. It is imperative to note that for biological reactions such as the breakdown of biliverdin and bilirubin, sulphur transferase activity must occur. Inadequacy in the occurrence of the activity affects metabolism such as the serotonin (5HT) of neurotransmitters.
Developmental issue-Cognitive, psychological, social, emotional, and physical implications
Emotional experience and face perception
According to Deruelle et al. (2004, p. 199), the relationship between gaze processing as exhibited by autistic teenagers and facial expression indicates that gaze and expression of autistic children’s faces are modulated by their ability to discriminate. Additionally, they further indicate that while expression interferes with the autistic children’s judgment from gaze, the direction of the gaze further modulates the processing of expression but only when the confronted with difficulties in discriminating facial emotions. Pellicano, Jeffrey & Rhodes (2007, p. 1508) agree that many children suffering from autism can learn simplistic discrimination for differing identities.
It is difficult for anyone to know what it is like being disabled when they’re not, but it’s important to at least try to develop an empathetic understanding of how life is for Charlie Understanding of autism and what it feels like to be disabled has over the years remained center of major debate mainly due to its varied characteristics depicted by people at different stages (Charman 2003, p. 319). In the movie “Black Balloon” Charlie’s autism is seen as a neurodevelopmental disorder that characterizes mainly communication and social disorder. Researchers seeking ways of managing it have sought to evaluate the effectiveness of early intervention on communication development for children suffering from autism (Charman 2003, p. 323). Research studies indicate that effective early identification and empathetic understanding of individuals with autism is very helpful in facilitating early intervention in improving face perception. Additionally, parents and caregivers must then employ effective pre-language skills such as eye contact, babbling, and gestures as immediate simplistic steps for children to create confidence and cumulative memory for their face perception (Reiko & Labar 2007, p. 299). Findings on early intervention effectiveness for autistic children have been of great help to psychologists in facilitating early detection and treatment of the problem (Pellicano, Jeffrey & Rhodes 2007, p. 1512). Furthermore, it has been critical in creating an effective behavioral trajectory on a child to determine their progresses. Notably, direct involvement of the parents and guardians made the findings to be very crucial in addressing the problem from the local setting.
Charlie’s Autism
From the movie “The Black balloon”,Charlie demonstrates deficits that other children in his age with autism do. Such behaviors include repetitive interest or behaviors, non-verbal communication and a deficit in social interaction (Siller & Sigman 2002, p. 77). Besides, they exhibit unusual responses to certain objects or sounds as a result of sensory experiences (Moyson & Roeyers 2011, p. 55). These symptoms vary as they may be severe or mild. For instance, Charlie shows poor social interaction with his family witnessed in his behavior and communication. For example, when he was distressed, he picked up a fight with his brother Thomas and in another instance smashed a window. Those behaviors can be attributed to Autism Spectrum disorders.
Most individuals with autism have tremendous difficulties in interaction from their early stages in life. They prefer being alone and acting coldly to others (Heaton, Ludlow and Roberson 2007, p. 147). Besides, the normal interaction of give-and-take is treated in a typical way as they seldom respond or seek comfort to affection or anger displayed by parents. However, it is imperative to note that since they have attachment to their parents, they do not express it and it is difficult to establish it (Geraldine 2005, p. 40; Siller & Sigman 2002, p. 77). In the movie “The Black balloon”, Charlie’s family feels crushed by his behavior that lack typical and expected attachment when he picks up a fight with Thomas and when he takes off into the neighborhood in his underwear and enters a strangers house, an action that compels his brother to rush after him and intervene for him. In the movie, it is hard to determine Charlie’s feelings or to differentiate one from another. However, through his actions such as smashing of window and biting, it is clear that he gets angry when distressed by an issue. Besides, he is presented as an individual who is slow in interpreting and learning what others feel or think since all the actions taken by the family have little meaning to him. This is true of autistic individuals with whom a grimace, wink or a smile mean nothing. Frowning, hugging or scolding means the same thing (Landa 2007, p. 25).
Charlie, like many other autistic individuals has and sees things from a perspective that is different from other normal people. In the movie, he seems to lack understanding and as such become difficult to predict. It is imperative to note that Charlie’s emotions are not regulated and as such, manifest in immature behaviors such as flapping of his hands. In the movie, Charlie exhibits unusual outbursts in behavior and makes his social relationship with his family more difficult by being physically aggressive and disruptive at times (Reiko & Labar 2007, p. 296). At one point, he attacks his brother Thomas and disrupts a supermarket. Research studies point out that autistic individuals tend to behave unusually or lose control when they are frustrated and angry or when in an environment that is overwhelming or strange (Landa 2007, p. 22; Siller & Sigman 2002, p. 77). As such, they might bite others or their arms, pull their hair or even bang their heads to express their frustrations.
Although Charlie has good muscle control and appears perfectly normal his physically odd repetitive motions are subtle and highly apparent. Repetitive behaviors among autistic children or adults manifest in diverse manners such as freezing in position, walking on toes or flapping their arms as is in Charlie’s case (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2002, par. 5). In their childhood, rather than playing with their toys, they would line them up. Any slight interference by another person on the arrangement of the toys easily affects and upset them. This goes for their environment too. In the movie, Charlie prefers, demand and need absolute consistency. Any change in his normal routine like taking bath, dressing and mealtimes disturb them. In Charlie’s state, sameness and order lead to stability and happiness.
From the movie, it is imperative to note that Charlie exhibits certain characteristics that show great success and achievement. For instance, despite his state, he is a source of inspiration to his family. Research studies point out that since autism can affect individuals’ ability to behave and function normally due to its detrimental symptoms, with right guidance and support, they can achieve great things.
Other studies on Autism
Though Anxiety has not been categorized as part of the main consideration in identification of autism disorders, there is need to evaluate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in addressing anxiety for individuals in developing stages of autism (Siller & Sigman 2002, p. 77). Though CBT has been an effective model of addressing key psychological disorders, its use in autistic individuals with great comorbidity of anxiety and ASD has made its efficacy to become debatable (Deruelle et al. 2004, p. 205). Modification of CBT in addressing anxiety in autism is critical especially in specific disorder hierarchies, establishment and use of concrete visual tactics, incorporation of autist’s interest and holistic parent involvement (Heaton, Ludlow and Roberson 2007, p. 147). Modification of CBT in addressing anxiety for ASD children calls for an expanded consideration by psychologists and clinicians in understanding the patient while resulting model sees all parties moving out of the problem together as a measure of success. Ineffectiveness of CBT in treating cases of individuals with autism like Charlie is a fact that calls for greater focus on autism as a problem that is not mobile but highly dynamic (Wei, Blackorby & Schiller 2011, p. 104). One of the common problems associated with autism is communication deficit on individuals suffering from autism. Impairment in communication forms one of the main indicators of autism in human development. Though anxiety is not directly indicated by communication impairment, it remains highly comorbid with autism (Moyson & Roeyers 2011, p. 45). For children with ASD, anxiety was found to decrease while communication deficits continued to increase. However, for non-ASD children, anxiety increased with increasing levels of communication deficits. One fact that should be understood by clinicians is that they should not disregard anxiety among children when assessing them for ASD (Deruelle et al. 2004, p. 202). This particular consideration is highly significant in effective identification of ASD children and designing treatment models.
How does the literature/theory help in understanding a person’s situation and responses
The literature has expressed what it feels to suffer from autism. As indicated, Charlie’s autism denies him the ability to function normally. Charlie’s mother explains to Thomas the reality of life that faces her autistic child and how that shapes and determines what he would be for the rest of his life. Indeed autism has terrible effects on victims and their families. As such, an individual in the state Charlie is in requires guidance, love and support.
Besides, the movie helped to establish the implications on mothers who have autistic children. Female parents with autistic children suffer more than any other family member due to great dependence of the affected child at a tender age (Reiko & Labar 2007, p. 305; Roger 2000, p. 399). Families with autistic children are required to understand and establish lifelong interventions to help their children. For instance, providing added care to them is indeed necessary. To prevent inadequacy of sulphur transferase activity, parents should provide children with high phenolic food contents, Cranberry juice and fruits (Heaton, Ludlow and Roberson 2007, p. 147; Roger 2000, p. 399). Mothers of autistic children are often stressed from the extended need for care that prevents them from effectively engaging in other activities. Family members form a strong aspect for mothers to cope with stress by offering the needed help and understanding to the affected child.
With autistic children greatest burden being laden on mothers, is an important fact to clinicians and psychologists in designing intervention models (Roger 2000, p. 399). It is of great significance to students so that they can come up with effective models of addressing the disorder at the earliest possible instance and therefore assist the affected mothers. Besides, they would equally come up with new models to address the high stress levels for mothers of autistic children.
From the study, it is evident that autistic people are characterized with key deficits in their socialization, imagination and even communication which make it hard for them to effectively fit with others in the society. However, research studies have pointed out that most of the autistic people have specifically enhanced or circumscribed sections of cognitive functioning. In the research on color discrimination, Heaton, Ludlow and Roberson (2007, p. 147) argue that some autistic children were able to effectively identify with specific colors in their daily events.
Earlier on, psychologists found out that the key problem in individuals with autism is the difficulty encountered in categorization resulting from their tendency of processing unique as opposed to shared aspects for different visual arrays. Deruelle et al (2004, p. 205) further built on Plaigstead study on facial expression in their study on spatial frequency in face processing for children with autism. From their study, Deruelle et al (2004, p. 201) concluded that unlike it was constantly believed, children with autism have high performance when the frequency of matching is employed in their different activities.
In their study on vision in autism, Simmons et al (2009, p. 143) results appear to concur with the prior studies on the need to emphasize the strengths of the autistic children and then develop on them in an outward model in addressing the disorder. Through a review of the existing literature, Simmons et al (2009, p. 132) concluded that there is need to view the problem of autism especially for the children on a more specific outset to prevent possible implications of comorbidity and therefore increase the chances of employing the correct mechanism in addressing the problem.
These studies as Simmons et al (2009, p. 73) indicate have been regarded as key breakthrough for psychologists seeking to address the problem of autism in the society. As the recommendations indicate, psychologist are required to work in conjunction with the parents in identifying the cognitive strengths of their children, and then build on it to improve their social and language development (Siller & Sigman 2002, p. 77). Notably, it is easier to assess and address the problem of autism especially in face perception especially through building on their preferences, a consideration that makes itself propelling.
Finally, the generalizations in the literature are very critical in that they help an individual to understand an autistic person’s situation and responses at such a time when the problem has continued to be worse (Wei, Blackorby & Schiller 2011, p. 101). At the local level, the literature provides a key pillar of hope to parents, families and guardian with children who are autistic. Though the major causes of this medical problem remain unclear, it is no doubt that intervention methods can assist to address the problem. The study has great implications in that it will form a sound basement to improve and increase the learning programs at all levels to address the problem of autism in society. Notably, the setting of the study and the movie “The Black Baloon” on living with an autistic child reflects on the critical role that that is played by parents and between different stakeholders in society to address their health problems. In this case therefore, the need for community and its stakeholders to maintain a common focus is very crucial. Besides, the need for further studies towards seeking more particularistic solutions to the problem should be established. The study will therefore, go a long way in generating a better society for all.
Conclusion
In summing up, there is need for early intervention strategies, importance of joint attention and emphasis on building strengths on the positive capabilities of autistic children. While psychologists have deduced new viewpoints and mechanisms to address the problem of autism, autistic children have a better chance of improving their capabilities. Owing to the high prevalence of autism among children, it is considered ethical to use children during studies to promote more effective and faster resolutions. However, all the negative implications should be effectively pre-assessed and mechanisms on how to reduce them implemented in every study.
References
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