Product: NOVA: Secret of the Wild Child (1994)
Rating: 5.0
Tragic story of rehabilitation of "wild child" Genie
This episode focuses on the discovery of a child that had been abused andsecluded in a small room with little human contact until she was found at13 years old. The seclusion had resulted in severely limited childhooddevelopment, including the lack of acquisition of language. The documentarytells the story of her rehabilitation, and the missteps that occur during it.Ultimately, "Wild Child" Genie's rehabilitation was unsuccessful, and herprofound handicaps and doubtful rehabilitation leave a deep sorrow in theheart. Very moving and an interesting glimpse into some of the issues aboutchildhood development.There is also a good book on Genie,Genie: a Scientific Tragedyavailable from amazon which parallels the documentary.