Misunderstood Minds Summary

The documentary follows five families dealing with a differently abled child; The film focuses on difficulties the families go through, professionalism or lack of it by school officials Misunderstood Minds, documentary, is an excellent reminder of the fact that while there is a constant battle concerning over diagnosis, Every parent wants the best for their child, after all a child is a person’s most precious possession. For this very reason having a child with a learning disability becomes overwhelming.

Nathan VanHoy, who struggled to read. His struggles were strong verbal skills and ability to memorize, but he was aware that wasn't reading like his classmates. His mom found that Nathan benefited by being placed in a research classroom, and he ended up advancing to the appropriate reading level and eventually passing the state test that allowed him to enter 5th grade. Adam’s case, who struggled with reading throughout elementary school, but when tested when his parents were informed that their son was reading at a 3rd grade level. Adam constantly uncomfortable, as well as the lack of socialization with his

peers and his teacher resulted in a student who only continued to suffer in a new placement. and who went undiagnosed.

In high school his parents discovered that Adam had become so depressed from the constant of failing in school that he had stopped going.

Finally he turned to drugs and alcohol to numb his frustration and disappointment and stealing. follow by stealing a car and spending some time in prison.

Sara lee youngest of 4 mom wants a good solid education for her kids- children's store front school in Harlem-standout student, highly verbal-4th grade was really shy in history wouldn't participate out of character couldn't comprehend history, vocabulary. had good inner language, knows what she wants to say but can't get it out the way she was thinking- she understands well but can't express herself. Now She has improved dramatically: comprehension score went from grade 4 second month to grade 7-Sara lee is pushing herself beyond cliches, and is thinking

deeper.

Lauren Smith, who was creative, loved poetry, dramatic and social, but had difficulties with focus, attention, and organization. Aside from academic issue Lauren had trouble maintaining friendships which at times caused her to feel sad and hurt. Her parents were hesitant to have her be placed on medication, they moved forward with skipping the medication part and changing her into a charter school which seem to go well for her But, when the newness wore off, Lauren continued to have academic and social difficulties. Lauren parents decided to go on with the medication and saw the difference in her she began to think carefully before speaking or doing anything. They also noticed when she will sometimes miss her medication and notice how happy and social she was while on it.

Misunderstood Minds did an excellent job in the documentary very emotional parents/kids who struggled with learning disabilities. However, I believe teachers were labeled as too helpful towards the kids situation unfortunately many teachers aren't too well hands on with these situations and are sometimes harsh. This documentary long and difficult process that many families go through to support their children who learn differently than others. Also showing how parents to readjust their understanding of their children, to make life-changing decisions. The children who struggle to learn also struggle with negative emotions such as teasing from classmates. Once a learning difficulty is diagnosed, there are many difficult decisions that need to be made.

Study have revealed that the balance of brain chemicals can be modified by childhood maltreatment and can also be tempered by social institutions. I'm very glad to have watch this video if you're in the educational field I highly suggest wanting to know not only more about children with learning disabilities, but about the experiences and feelings of these students. This documentary shows s the inner feelings of these children concerning their disability and offer the opportunity for educators when working with these kind of students to not only focus on the educational aspect, but also the emotional and mental.