what mental disorer, if any, did James Robert Kennedy (Radio) have?

Question

I was just wondering what was the name of the mental disorder that James Robert kennedy a.k.a. Radio, the character Cuba Gooding, Jr. played in the film Radio, have if he had a known disorder.

Answer 1

"What is really wrong with Radio?
As his mother in the film, actress Sharon Epatha Merkerson, stated, there is no name for what is wrong with Radio. It is almost certainly a genetic disorder, because both his father and his younger brother, Cool Rock (George Allan Kennedy), share the same defect. Cool Rock, who is two years younger than Radio and shares a bedroom with him, still can't be understood when he attempts to speak. Although, unlike Radio, he hasn't been loved and cared for by an entire school for over 30 years."

Answer 2

James Robert Kennedy

Answer 3

I'm no doctor. With that being said, he shares a lot of the same characteristics and symptoms as my 14 year old disabled daughter. So in my opinion (with only knowing what everyone else knows), I believe he has Stickler Syndrome. It is a rare genetic syndrome that causes a multitude of diabilities and such that hinder normal progression. Anyone else agree that knows someone with this disability? Due to it being rare i have never met another mother with a stickler child. I would love to talk with one though...so please email me at [e-mail]

Answer 4

In my opinion, there was nothing wrong with Radio, just the rest of society, for lack of love and understanding in people who are "different" and more able than humankind. Radio brought more to this world than any, love and simplicity, without judgment, who can boast that?

Answer 5

"As his mother in the film, actress Sharon Epatha Merkerson, stated, there is no name for what is wrong with Radio. It is almost certainly a genetic disorder, because both his father and his younger brother, Cool Rock (George Allan Kennedy), share the same defect. Cool Rock, who is two years younger than Radio and shares a bedroom with him, still can't be understood when he attempts to speak."

"Radio (2003)" : http://www.chasingthefrog.com/reelfaces/radio.php

"During the course of the movie, Radio displays the DSM-IV symptoms of Autistic Spectrum Disorder. Radio exhibits qualitative impairment in social interactions, as manifested by the lack of nonverbal behaviors, failure to develop peer relationships, and lack of social or emotional reciprocity. For instance, Radio consistently displays little or no eye contact, his body and facial expressions are rigid, and he uses few
gestures."

"Additionally, Radio has an obvious impairment in communication as is characteristic of Autistic Disorder (APA, 2000). His speech lacks the smooth flow
characteristic of typical speech patterns. Moreover, his vocabulary is limited, and he rarely initiates a conversation with others. Also, Radio constructs sentences in which he
refers to himself in third person or by his first name. Commonly, Radio repeats phrases or utterances of others when excited. For instance, Radio nearly loses a football victory when he repeats the play numerous times aloud for the opposing team to hear."

"In addition to Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Radio would meet the DSM-IV diagnosis of Mental Retardation. Radio displays significantly subaverage intellectual functioning. For instance, Radio does not know the letters that comprise his name, nor is he able to write his name even after intervention with Coach Jones. He is also unable to read the lunch menu aloud over the intercom to the school. When announcing the lunch menu, he is simply repeating someone else. Moreover, Radio displays concurrent deficits and impairments in adaptive functioning. For instance, he cannot live alone safely, his communication skills are poor, and he has little self-direction. For example, when his mother is working, he calls Coach Jones’ home in order for someone to select his clothes."

"However, the film does not give a definite IQ score for Radio. Since Radio cannot be successfully tested by standardized intelligence test, a diagnosis of mental retardation, severity unspecified would be needed (APA, 2000)."

"Since the film is merely a glimpse into the life of Radio, the audience cannot be sure if his delay and abnormal functioning had an onset prior to the age of three for a diagnosis of Autistic Disorder and age eighteen for a diagnosis of Mental Retardation as required by the DSM-IV (APA, 2000). When Coach Jones inquiries Radio’s mother, she does not indicate any change in his functioning throughout his life; however, either does
she give a clear indication of age of onset."

"Mental Illness as Depicted in the film Radio", Marjorie Roth Leon, Ph.D. : http://www.jillyankennedyschoolpsych1.com/Radio.pdf

Answer 6

YMD or also known as Your Mom Disorder

Answer 7

His mother said there was no name for the disabillity. But she also said he was slow. So technicaly it can be autisim.