What mental illness does I Am Sam have?
I am Sam is a movie about a mentally challenged man, named Sam, striving to raise his daughter, Lucy, alone. Diagnosed with Autism, Sam’s intellectual capacity cannot exceed the age of 7.
What are all the disabilities in I Am Sam?
When it comes to researching films about autism, ‘I Am Sam’ is rarely mentioned. His intellectual disability is not specifically labelled in the film, but much of Sam’s traits are consistent with autism- his poor coordination, repetitive behaviours, echolalia, OCD and poor eye contact.
What is Sam Dawson disability?
Because of his “disability,” Sam broke the rules: He didn’t know the score; he interrupted play; and he showed shameless bias in favor of his own child. But at that moment, Sam Dawson, a person with “mental retardation,” “autistic tendencies” and a “mental age” of 7, knew what he wanted to do.
What problems did the main character experience in the movie I Am Sam?
The main issue of the movie was that the main character Sam has an Intellectual disability and he is struggling to take care of his daughter. Intellectual disability is a disability that interferes with a person’s cognitive abilities and the functions they use in everyday life.
How does I Am Sam relate to psychology?
Sam’s role is a mentally retarded male, with a mental capacity of a seven year old. Sam’s daughter, Lucy, is seven and her teachers fear that Sam’s aptitude is holding her back because she does not want to be smarter than her father.
Was I Am Sam based on a true story?
No, ‘I am Sam’ is not based on a true story. It is a fictional tale conceived by screenwriter Kristine Johnson and the film’s director and co-writer Jessie Nelson.
Why did the mom leave in I Am Sam?
The mother disappeared right after giving birth (her farewell words: “All I wanted was a place to sleep”), and now Sam is doing his best to cope, although sometimes Lucy has to help him with her homework. Eventually Lucy decides to stop learning so she won’t get ahead of her dad.
What is mental retardation?
Mental retardation is present in about 2 to 3 percent of the population. It can be defined as cognitive ability that is markedly below average level and a decreased ability to adapt to one’s environment. The onset of the condition occurs during the developmental period, i.e., gestation through age 18 years.
What is the main cause of mental retardation?
Causes of mental retardation include fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effect; brain damage caused by the use of prescription or illegal drugs during pregnancy; brain injury and disease; and genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and fragile X syndrome.