Summary Of Brad Cohen's Tourette Syndrome

Brad Cohen takes you on his lifelong journey of how it was for him as a child growing up. Brad was a child who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS) in the 1980’s. Growing up he was often mocked, made fun of, shunned, and often times blamed for wanting to act out and misbehaving. In the 1980’s TS was unheard of outside of anyone not involved in the medical field. Brad’s lifelong dream was to be a teacher, he wanted to be the teacher that he never had, which was one that understood his disability and inspired/motivated him to be a better person. He often referred to his disability as his “Constant companion”. Fast forwarding he finished up graduate school and despite his excellent list of recommendations from student teaching assignments. …show more content…
Not only is it a good read but it has very useful information and positive messages about determination and getting through the many challenges that life has to offer. In regards to educators and parents, it teaches the importance of motivation and understanding. Policy makers can see how having a disability shouldn't hold you back from engaging in daily activities like everyone else has the opportunity to be involved in, that regardless of who you are and what you’re born with you should still be treated as equally. Students can gain a lot or knowledge about having respect for their peers and to be more welcoming and understanding to the diversity of differences that we all have regardless if one is more noticeable than the next. Overall that we are all humans with flaws and feelings and if we that if we take the time out to get to know one another we can learn a lot from each …show more content…
Being able to communicate your interest and opinions, work with others, and just have fun, in general, are all important. To ensure that his parents are involved I would begin by keeping an open line of communication. Also inviting them in to visit and watch his learning process so that they are able to make tips and suggestions that they think would beneficial. Sending home to class work schedule in advance may also be helpful so that they are able to work with him at home as well. When dealing with students with disabilities teamwork is important and the parents should always be invited in to be a part of the team. I personally didn’t think that Brad needed any additional services he was able to independently work and get through the tasks he just needed more time. Accommodations that I would recommend to optimize participation would be for Brad to visually represent his work whether it be through technology or illustration. I would also allow him to use cue cards or promote ways to want him to be involved like having assignments related to baseball since he was a huge fan of the sport. If able to peer work with a student would be