After being challenged by Tourette's syndrome from a very young age, Brad Cohen defies all odds to become a gifted teacher. [9] Heaton, the mother of four children, was attracted to the script because she related to the strong mother: "Finally, she went to the library herself—as mothers will do to fight to the end for their kids and find out what's wrong—and realized he had Tourettes," Heaton explained. In one class, his teacher calls him to the front to make him apologize to his class for disrupting the class and promise he won't do it again. Based on the true story of Brad Cohen, a young man diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome who defies the odds to become a teacher. From then on, Brad aspires to never be like the other members of the support group and to become successful. Front of the Class (2008 TV Movie) Plot Synopsis. "One man's faith spurs Tourette sufferer to inspire others". That convinced Brad that he should be "the teacher he never had." An observer at the school assesses Brad's teaching, and the head teacher announces that Brad has been chosen to receive the Teacher of the Year award, which he accepts in front his family, friends and students. He constantly gets into trouble with his father Norman and his teachers at school due to his tics. Fully accepted only by kid brother Jeff and their divorced mother with custody, who ends up suggesting the novel syndrome to their surprised family doc, Brad embraces his new status and challenge, refusing ti be disheartened or foolishly smug. The script was adapted from the book by Tom Rickman[4] and the movie was directed by Peter Werner. As Brad makes his way back to his seat, the school applauds him. "Class act: 'Front' tells inspiring tale of award-winning teacher". "Hallmark Hall of Fame TV Movie about Tourette Syndrome to Air in December 2008: True Story Based on Brad Cohen’s Life to Air on CBS". When Brad was growing up, teachers and other adults -- even his father -- interpreted Brad's involuntary sounds and sudden jerking movements as attempts to get attention or simply acting up. The ending titles tell that Brad got his master's degree; he dressed up as Homer, (Atlanta Braves) mascot; he married Nancy in 2006; and a photograph of the real Brad Cohen teaching his class are shown. Brad meets Nancy on an online dating site. Brad and his mother attend a support group for the first and last time. As an adult, Brad lives with his house mate Ron in Georgia, and is looking for work as an elementary school teacher. He was pleased with the overall result, although he noted some dates in his life were sped up for effect (for example, the date of his wedding).[1]. According to Shriver, "The audience 'was laughing, then crying, then laughing, then crying, then cheering, and at the end, they gave him a huge standing ovation. Twelve-year-old Brad lives in Missouri with his divorcée mother, Ellen, and younger brother, Jeff. Brad Cohen's story starts when he is a young boy and his mother helps doctors to realize that he has Tourette syndrome. When Brad was growing up, teachers and other adults -- even his father -- interpreted Brad's involuntary sounds and sudden jerking movements as attempts to get attention or simply acting up. Front of the Class is a 2008 American docudrama film directed by Peter Werner that is based on the 2005 book Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had by Brad Cohen and co-authored by Lisa Wysocky, which tells of Cohen's life with Tourette syndrome and how it inspired him to teach other students. To portray Cohen's tics accurately, Wolk and Kay viewed videotapes and worked with a dialect coach,[7] describing their preparation as a "Tourette's boot camp". [10], Although tics steadily decline for most children as they pass through adolescence,[11][12] Cohen still has frequent and loud vocal tics and barking. The book was made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie starring newcomer James Wolk—a 2007 University of Michigan graduate[1]—and featuring Treat Williams and Emmy Award-winning actress Patricia Heaton as Cohen's parents; the movie aired on CBS on December 7, 2008.[2]. He joked: "I'm hoping I don't get kicked out of my own movie."[9].