The question of whether or not Forrest Gump is autistic is still a matter of interpretation. While he is not autistic in the book and the movie, Reddit users believe he exhibits many symptoms of autism.
Forrest Gump was the second most successful film of 1994. The filmmakers based the movie on Winston Groom’s book of the same name. Gump, a kind-hearted Alabama native who witnessed and influenced critical historical events in the United States, is played by Tom Hanks.
Forrest portrays the story of a man who defied all odds to love a brilliant and fulfilling life. He is not diagnosed with a mental illness, but he did have a lower-than-average IQ of 75. Regardless, he stumbled through life, finding success in most of his endeavors and meeting historical figures.
Forrest Gump is one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in popular culture. Most viewers of the film can tell that the titular character is not neurotypical. While both Winston Groom, the author of the 1986 novel, and Robert Zemeckis, the director of the 1994 film, have stated that Gump has no specific diagnosis, speculation has continued. The question of whether or not Forrest Gump is autistic is still a matter of interpretation, especially among Reddit users. Is he autistic? Follow this article to find out the truth.
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Forrest Gump Was Not Intended To Be Autistic but He Exhibits Many Symptoms of Autism in the Movie!
The question of whether or not Forrest Gump is autistic is still a matter of interpretation. In both the book and the film, Forrest is not autistic. The writer did not intend for Gump to be autistic when he published the book in 1986, because autism was not widely recognized at the time.
It’s unlikely that the director intended Forrest to be autistic. Despite no explicit declaration that he is autistic, Forrest Gump is frequently categorized as a film depicting aspects of the autistic spectrum.
Image Source: Filmovita
Forrest Gump was not intended to be autistic but he exhibits many symptoms of autism in the movie. Nonetheless, there are numerous hints throughout the film that indicates Forrest has autistic symptoms. For example, he struggled with social cues but excelled at adhering to technical details and clear instructions. It explains why he excelled in the US Army, with his drill sergeant impressed by his ability to strip and reassemble a battle rifle in record time.
By the end of his army service, his class A uniform was adorned with several decorations, including the Army’s highest marksmanship badge. Additionally, Forrest excelled at anything that required intense concentration, such as ping pong. He never took his eyes off the ball as instructed, earning him a spot on the US team to compete in China. Autism patients exhibit this type of unwavering focus, according to experts. They try to redirect this energy to more fulfilling and healthy activities, such as running like Forrest.
Two Japanese Doctors Conclude Forrest Gump Most Likely Is Autistic!
In 1996, two Japanese doctors, Shinji Ijichi and Naomi Ijichi, argued in a paper that Forrest is most likely autistic. He meets the diagnostic criteria for Asperger syndrome, a type of autism spectrum disorder. They emphasized his difficulty with social interactions, literal interpretation of language, and limited range of interests. They claim that Forrest’s actions are explained by his low IQ or his upbringing in a segregated school.
They also point out that the film does not depict any other Asperger syndrome symptoms, such as sensory sensitivities or repetitive behaviors. But Forrest’s disinterest in his peers’ interests and accomplishments led Shinji and Naomi to an autism diagnosis. Forrest struggled to maintain conversations well into adulthood and displayed an idiosyncratic use of language.
Image Source: Cinemaepixels
Furthermore, he didn’t exhibit unusual hand movement, and he didn’t lose acquired skills. The scientists concluded that Forrest’s personality matched those observed in people with autistic disorder. Although Forrest Gump was not intended to be autistic there are numerous hints throughout the film that indicates he has autistic symptoms. Forrest Gump is autistic according to the doctors because he meets the criteria for being autistic.
