Assessment of Gilbert Grape

I. Identifying Information

1. Client's Name: Arnie Grape

2. Sex: Male

3. Date of Birth: July 16, 1987

4. Age: 17

5. Address: 300 Hugh Hunter Rd., Endora, Iowa 42262

6. Phone Number: (931) 555-1212

7. Occupation: unemployed

8. Family Members: Mother Bonnie Grape 54 unemployed

Father Albert Grape deceased

Sister Ellen Grape 16 works at ice cream shop

Sister Amy Grape 34 unemployed

Sister Larry Grape 32 flight attendant

Brother Gilbert Grape 24 works at a grocery store

II. Reason for Social Work Involvement

Arnie Grape was referred to this agency by Sheriff Jerry Farrell of the Endora Police Department. He was concerned about Arnie's continued lack of supervision. Sheriff Farrell stated that Arnie was taken into custody for climbing the water tower in Endora, but later released to his mother, Bonnie Grape. This was not Arnie's first time climbing the tower, and Sheriff Farrell informed me that he had given previous warnings to Bonnie Grape about the incidents. I was informed that Arnie is mentally challenged, and that the police department was afraid of Arnie's safety and the safety of those that try to retrieve him from the tower. Bonnie Grape was informed of the referral by the police department.

III. Presenting Problem

The presenting problem I noticed upon first meeting the Grape family was the lack of adequate supervision concerning Arnie. When I arrived, Arnie was playing by himself in the yard. I learned that during the daytime Arnie is normally supervised by his brother, Gilbert Grape, while Gilbert works at a local grocery store. During many occasions, Arnie has been able to leave the store without notice and climb the water tower. I also learned that Arnie frequently climbs the trees in his yard and climbs on the roof, which shows me that either the climbing is tolerated or encouraged by his family or there is just an overall lack of supervision.

Upon meeting Bonnie Grape, I noticed that she seemed to think that there was nothing wrong and that the family could handle the situation by themselves. She may be in a state of denial about her son's lack of supervision and mental condition. I noticed that Bonnie was extremely obese, and this may be a major concern for the family. Although Bonnie seems somewhat domineering, it appears that the children run the household.

IV. Client's View of Problem

None of the family members thought there was a major ongoing problem within the family or with Arnie. I felt hesitation from the two daughters, Amy and Ellen. I felt that they wanted to open up, but felt that it was forbidden to do so. Bonnie informs Gilbert, in my presence, that he should more adequately supervise Arnie while at work. She made it seem as if he was totally at fault. Bonnie explained to me that Arnie was mentally challenged and had autism. She mentioned that Arnie could pass any day now, and that he was not expected to live as long as he did. She stated that she felt as though the community thought that she did not take care of Arnie, and that she was angry when Arnie was arrested because Sheriff Farrell knows the condition that Arnie and the family is in. Amy also feels as if Gilbert should take more responsibility in watching Arnie, since she takes control of the housework. Everyone agreed that Arnie was sometimes hard to control. During this time, Ellen did not seem too eager to participate. Overall, the family blames the problem on Gilbert and his lack of supervising Arnie while at work. No other family member will take part in the blame.

V. Family and Interpersonal Functioning

a) Family Background

Bonnie was an only child who lost her mother at an early age. Bonnie's father passed away 17 years ago. The whole town knows Bonnie, because she was popular in high school. Back then, she was envied by her peers, and was even proposed to by Sheriff Farrell the same year that Albert, her deceased husband, did. Bonnie and Albert never left Endora. Bonnie was happy when she was pregnant. She was pregnant with her fifth child, Ellen, when Albert hung himself in their basement. Bonnie was not at home when this occurred; she was taking Arnie to have some tests done in Motley, Iowa, about a twenty minute drive from home. Since Albert's death, Bonnie's weight has skyrocketed, and she has become the joke of the town. Some of those who used to court her took up donations to help her see a dietician. The donated money was intersected by Amy and Gilbert before Bonnie found out. There have been other incidences where her weight was the subject of township intervention. Bonnie has also stopped attending church after the minister preached about suicide the Sunday after Albert's funeral.

Albert Grape passed away 17 years ago by hanging himself in his basement. His father battled alcoholism and supposedly passed away from excessive drinking. Albert had a brother, but he passed in World War II. Albert's mother is still alive, and has been living in a nursing home for the past 8 years. Albert was a kind and warm person, and got along with everyone.

Amy Grape, 34, is the oldest of the siblings and was 17 years old when Albert committed suicide. She has since taken Bonnie's role of running the house. Larry, 32, is the second to oldest and was 15 when Albert passed. She was the one that discovered the body and called 911. During that time, and to this day, she acts nonchalant about his death. She currently works as a flight attendant and only comes home for special occasions.

Gilbert is 24 and he was 7 years old when Albert passed. He remembers the day of his father's death vividly. He remembers the day, the time, and exactly what he was doing during the incident. He has since bottled up his emotions. For example, he did not cry at his father's funeral and was proud of himself for not doing so. He graduated from Endora High. He is one of four graduates who