Technically, as laid out in the Government policies of Inclusive Education, general schools should be equipped to meet the special needs of these children. But due to practical constraints, many times, it doesn’t work out that way, resulting in these children being marginalized from the mainstream, affecting not only their academic performance, but also their self-esteem.
There is awareness, but much more need to be done
The past decade has witnessed a sudden spurt in the recognition of Learning Disabilities in India. This sensitivity has benefited some children who have to cope with the invisible Learning Disability. Besides the growing awareness, there are still a number of misconceptions that are associated with the term ‘Learning Disabilities’. The reasons for these misconceptions are manifold. With its heterogeneous manifestations, the hard fact is that Learning Disability is real and a stumbling block for a nation’s development process, considering the huge percentage of children affected by it.
The right remediation at the proper time is important
In India, around 13 to 14 per cent of all school children suffer from Learning Disorders. A Learning Disability is not the same as being mentally retarded and it is not being lazy or stupid.
Learning Disabilities, as opposed to other disabilities, are invisible, and are therefore considered a hidden handicap. Hence, these difficulties tend to be misunderstood and their impact underestimated. This is extremely disheartening, as it affects a sizeable number of our student population.
Given proper remediation at the proper time, most of such children can be brought back to the academic mainstream.
80% of the students with LD have trouble in reading; 90% will read normally if they receive help by the first grade. 75% of the children who receive help after the age of nine will have some difficulty throughout life. So it is better to take your child to a special educator as early as possible.
Professionals who can help those with LD
- Clinical Psychologist.
- Psychiatrist (for dealing with co-morbid disorders).
- Educational Psychologist.
- Special Educators.
- Occupational Therapist (tests sensory disorders that can lead to learning problems).
- Speech and Language Therapist.
- Social Workers.
Sometimes several professionals coordinate services as a team to obtain an accurate diagnosis, including input from your child’s teachers. Recommendations can then be made for special education services or speech-language therapy as the need be.