Cebu Technological University
M.G. Cuenco Avenue
Cebu City 6000
February 15, 2020
DPE 105 Guidance and Counseling with Special Education
Every Child is Special
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Synopsis
The Mumbai-based Awasthi family consists of Nandkishore, his wife, Maya, and two
sons, Yohan and Ishaan. Both sons attend St. Anthony's High School where Yohan excels in
his studies, but Ishaan does the opposite, having failed in his 3rd standard twice already.
Ishaan Awasthi is an eight-year-old whose world is filled with wonders that no one else
seems to appreciate; colors, fish, dogs and kites are just not important in the world of adults,
who are much more interested in things like homework, marks and neatness. Ishaan just
cannot seem to get anything right in class.
His parents continue to be disappointed with his performance, and as a result he hides
his report cards from them, often misses school, and keeps to himself all the time. When he
gets into far more trouble than his parents can handle, he is packed off to a boarding school
to be disciplined. Things are no different at his new school, and Ishaan has to contend with
the added trauma of separation from his family.
One day a new art teacher bursts onto the scene, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, who showers
the students with joy and optimism. He breaks all the rules of how things are done by asking
them to think, dream and imagine, and all the children respond with enthusiasm, all except
Ishaan. Nikumbh soon realizes that Ishaan is very unhappy, and he sets out to discover why.
He plays the role of a teacher, a counselor and a parent to save Ishaan from the toxic
environment where his condition was not put into proper consideration . With time, patience
and care, Nikumbh ultimately helps Ishaan find himself.
Every child can learn just not in the same way in which each child is special in his or
her unique ways. The most important thing that they need is proper guidance that should
start in home and school. This is very significant to those children who have been
affected in the increasing growth of multifarious disorders.
However, there are students who were not able to be guided accordingly by the
people around them. This may be very challenging in the part of a student who is not
able to acquire the guidance that he really needs especially if most people were not aware
of the student`s real situation and on how it affects him in physical, emotional, spiritual
and mental aspects.
"Every Child is Special” is a movie that portrays the story of a kid who suffered from
dyslexia and being deprived with the chance to be understood by his teachers, classmates,
neighbors and even by his own parents since everybody is looking up on what they have
called the standard of living aiming to be highly competitive individual. Consequently,
he always gets low grades. He always gets into trouble. Everybody thinks that he enjoys
defying orders that his parents feel anxious about him where in fact it was due to his
condition. It was almost late when his parents become aware of his condition.
Fortunately, Ram Shankar Nikumbh, a temporary art teacher is able to save Ishaan from
getting lost and hopeless. He gathers focal information from the child`s family
background and home environment, hobbies and social data. In return, he is able to
determine that Ishaan needs special way of teaching for him to understand. He go extra
mile and even inculcate a positive viewpoint to child`s father. He provides enhancement
activity for Ishaan to build firm foundation in learning. He does individual counseling
and cognitive behavior therapy so that the child can gain his confidence and courage
back. He helps Ishaan overcome obstacles in his personal, educational growth in which
he was able to establish a warm, trusting ,confidential relationship with the child and
assist him in self-acceptance and understanding. Indeed, Nikumb serves as motivator,
counsellor, inspiration, and facilitator for Ishaan that makes him move toward the
maximum development of his potential.
The true worth of this thought-provoking film is in its educational value. Ishaan
Awasthi serves to be an inspiration to those children who are born with special
conditions in which they could excel with their unique abilities with the appropriate
guidance from the the people around them. He provides awareness to teachers for them
to have positive attitudes and outside interest that help develop a well-rounded
personality. Teachers should help rather than to judge, to inspire instead of to discourage
and to show rather than tell.
Moreover, the film educates the audience about dyslexia and promotes the idea that
every child should be treated with love and respect despite his or her flaws. A deeper
look at the film brings out a bigger picture. A child may provide his own idea if he will
be recognize by others and see that he really need to have and attention and support of
those people that surround him especially in home and school where learning and
personality develop. In essence, we are given the ability to portray our unique skills and
talents and show to the world that we excel in our own way of living, and not needing
the expectation of others. We are not born to please everybody but we always have the
chance to soar high with our unique ability and be a great inspiration to all.
Thus, mentors nowadays should give more awareness and considerations in dealing with
special learners and be more creative and updated enough on different teaching strategies
to promptly assist students with multiple intelligence. As learner, we have unique way
of expressing ourselves base on our own innate ability towards understanding and
perceiving things with the aid of our wide imagination. Learners should have the chance
to speak for themselves and show what they have got. Indeed, teachers should be the
motivator , counselor, facilitator and inspiration towards the learner`s desired destination
rather than become the commander of particular direction.
