Does Arnie Grape have autism?
Arnie Grape is a fictional character from the movie and book titled What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Arnie is a developmentally disabled teen played expertly by actor Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic), who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance. Arnie’s diagnosis is never specified, but he has many qualities consistent with autism, including self-stimulatory movements, tics, and an obsession with the town’s water tower, which he likes to run off and climb when nobody’s looking. He develops a fear of water after his caregiver leaves him in the bathtub, not realizing he is unable to get out and dry himself off. It is likely that Arnie Grape has autism.