Undiagnosed: The Ugly Side of Dyslexia

by Ameer Baraka

In UNDIAGNOSED, The Ugly Side of Dyslexia, Emmy nominated actor Ameer Baraka depicts how coming of age in the murderous streets of 1980s New Orleans collided with an unrecognized learning difference. Incarcerated for manslaughter at the age of fourteen, Ameer must reconcile his past with the will to persevere through the misconception that he's unable to learn.

At age twenty-three, Ameer re-enters the prison system, where he reclaims an education denied to so many who struggle to read. His rage transforms into determination to help other inmates and young people recognize that through perseverance and education, there is an alternative to living a life of crime and a method to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline. Stories speak louder than statistics, and in this tale of redemption, the good we do is measured by what we've overcome and the lives we inspire after discovering our truth.

Ameer Baraka is an award-winning and Daytime Emmy Nominated Actor, author, dyslexia advocate, youth mentor, and prison coach. Born to humble beginnings in New Orleans, Ameer's early life was as gloomy and as ill-fated as a young life could have been. In and out of the prison system as a kid for transgressions ranging from youthful indiscretions to major crimes, he was seemingly on a one-way trip to oblivion. Almost illiterate when he went to prison, he was diagnosed with dyslexia and learned to read in his mid-twenties while behind bars.

Seeing how education and ability to read have changed his life, Ameer is dedicated to inspiring young people with his message that they, too, can overcome meager beginnings and obstacles in their way to eventually triumph through hard work, dedication, strong faith, and the pursuit of education.

Genres: Education

200 pages, Paperback

Published September 14, 2022

Reviews

[Debbie Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

All teachers should read this book by Ameer Baraka. Whether you are a curriculum casualty whose teachers did not know that you would not learn to read with no systemic phonics program or are neurobiologically dyslexic, teaching colleges ignored your needs and did not give their candidates information on how kids learn to read. The consequences for families without financial resources are severe. Ameer lived those consequences and shares them in an honest, self-effacing, and compelling story.

[Meagan Swingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ameer Baraka’s true life story is heart wrenching and ultimately so inspiring. I can’t stop thinking about what he went through and how many others are going through the same horrors as we speak. Literacy is a matter of life or death. Of hope or despair. Of knowing your self worth or feeling you are worth nothing. No child and no adult should have to despair because they can’t read!! Reading is a fundamental human right! Ameer was diagnosed with dyslexia while in prison and learned to read in his 20’s, turning his life around and achieving his dreams of becoming an actor and using his platform to help others. He now dedicates his life to lifting others up and out of despair, through the hope literacy provides.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ameer lived in shame because of his dyslexia as a child and was ridiculed for his inability to learn how to read. The only positive male role models in his life were successful drug dealers, and he followed their path to a life of drugs, violence, and prison. (The lived experiences of sexual abuse, trauma, fighting, and gun violence are graphic, so please consider your audience when recommending this book.)

His experiences in prison made him realize he wanted to change his life, and he persisted to get a GED and be eligible for parole. He discusses the effect of inadequate education that contributes to the prison pipeline and the lack of good role models for people in poverty who don't see any other way to live.

I heard him speak at a dyslexia conference, and he ultimately has a hopeful story because he was able to turn his life around, and he is working to improve screening for dyslexia for young students in schools.

The haunting truth is that the National Adult Literacy Survey shows that 70% of incarcerated people cannot read at a 4th grade level and "lack the reading skills to navigate everyday tasks or hold down anything but lower-paying jobs." (p.96)

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this story strengthened my resolve to continue to ensure that students are able to learn to read in the early grades, especially the most underserved students. There are many factors that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, but the number of inmates that are functionally illiterate is astounding. The root problem must be addressed, and learning to read is a fundamental human right. It shouldn't take years of failure and waiting until you are an adult and in prison to be taught to read. Kids deserve better.

[Emily Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sobering look at the consequences of not identifying learning disabilities and providing the interventions that students need. A good reminder not only for teachers and public schools, but for families and the community at large. There is no one person or group at fault for missing these children, but work must be done to ensure they are not missed in the future.

[Anna rzk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for every teacher.Seeing Heinemann’s damage control is even more sickening.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening memoir every teacher and tax paying citizen should listen to. Favorite quote “I had to go to prison to get diagnosed with dyslexia.”

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Nicole J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an eye opening book about living life unable to read.

[Kristen Iworsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important read. I do wish it was more in-depth about Baraka’s struggle with dyslexia and how he overcame it.

[Denise Jessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

The author gives his perspective on what it was like to grow up in poverty in the projects. In addition to not having a male role model, he explains how difficult it was to read and succeed in school. Ameer later finds out he has dyslexia, but he was identified as an adult. Thankfully, Ameer gets help and turns his life around. Sadly many students get left undiagnosed.