Read, View, Critique

Film: Front of the Class –A story about Brad Cohen, award winning teacher, motivational speaker, author, and founder of the Brad Cohen Tourette Foundation.

Director: Peter Werner

Author: Brad Cohen and Thomas Rickman

Date of release: 2008

 

Characteristics of an individual with Tourette Syndrome

Portrayal of Brad Cohen

-Behavioural disorder caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The exact origin of the imbalance is unknown. -Can present in a multitude of ways where the muscles of the body move involuntarily without provocation causing the individual to have their own unique range of tics. Also effects the control over the vocal muscles that can cause the individual to make repetitive involuntary noises, or in more rare cases (30-50%) the individual can have caporlia which causes them to utter obscenities. -Onset of the disorder most frequently occurs between the ages of two and fifteen, but most commonly appears between the ages of six and seven. -Of the individuals who have been diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome, 50% of whom also struggle in the areas of: hyperactivity, short attention span, restlessness, poor impulse control, indiscriminate rage, obsession, problems comprehending verbal instruction, confusion over space-time directionality, and feelings of being signaled out. -1.6% of all the population suffers from Tourette Syndrome. -Three times as many males then females are diagnosed with the syndrome. -There is no test to diagnose the syndrome, diagnosis is determined by observation only. -There is no cure, but the symptoms can be lessened with medication and cognitive behavioural strategies. These often are a change in the individual’s social environment. -Tourette can often present symptoms in a number of different ways.

-Labeled as a young child as the class clown for having bad behaviour. -Not officially diagnosed until age twelve by observations and research his mother did and pointed out to the doctor which he later observed. -Cohen was challenged with involuntary muscle spasms or tics as well as involuntary noise making (described many times to be like a dog barking). -Admitted to feeling of and trouble with: hyperactivity, short attention span, restlessness, poor impulse control, obsession, problems focusing, difficulties with time limits to complete mental tasks, could not thrive under high stress in the class room as a child and feelings of being signaled out. -Had a lot of difficulties in school being accepted. -Known as being overly obsessed when he set his mind to accomplish something, like becoming a teacher for example. -Once Cohen became a teacher he was rejected by twenty four schools due to his Tourette Syndrome until Mountain View Elementary School in Georgia hired his to be a second grade teacher. – Cohen was awarded Georgia’s First Class Teacher of the Year. -Claimed that medication made his symptoms worse, and being relaxed or calm was the best way to keep his ticks at a minimum.

Front of the Class portrayed the character of Brad Cohen quite accurately, in part because Cohen was involved in the writing of the story directly from his own life experiences. The film tells a wonderful success story of a man who did not let Tourette Syndrome dictate his life. As noted above, the symptoms associated with Tourette Syndrome manifest themselves in different ways in every individual. However, I feel the production of the film proved to be an exceptional work and shows a good understanding of Tourette Syndrome. I would recommend this film to people of all walks of life looking for a true and inspiring story. Front of the Class can show how an individual with Tourette Syndrome can be very successful and be of great value to society. It shows how acceptance can make a world of difference. A better understanding towards Tourette Syndrome can help people to be more accepting and open towards these individuals, so we can see they more than what we assume them to be at first glance, realizing a world of potential and possibilities not only to these individuals but to those they impact.