Rise in the number of children with learning disabilities in schools has compelled the school management to revise their curriculum and provide them with relevant teaching tools to bolster their confidence.
"Quite a few students suffer from neurodevelopment and mental health-related disabilities and find it difficult in reading, writing and comprehending. In the four years since we began enrollment for our school, we have come across as many as 35 students who need special care and attention,'' said Rajani Pattabhiraman, principal, Euro school.
Alarmed at the soaring numbers of cases of slow-learning among the children, schools in Thane have taken it as a challenge to accept students with poor learning skills and to identify their strengths and prepare them for the mainstream. Unlike earlier when the school authorities would ignore or punish students whose performance slipped due to his or her mental conditions, the authorities today shower special care on such students. "Today, schools not only arrange for the required medical assistance for these students, but also adjust their curriculum to suit the needs of the child. If a student likes drawing, the special educator teaches basic concepts in math or any other subject using art," explained Minal Pinto, student counsellor at the John the Baptist School.
"We also set separate papers, which are easier. This objective easy paper gives them confidence and a feeling of self-worth and they start performing well. We gradually increase the difficulty level," Pinto said.
Pattabhiraman said that in addition to the easy level exams, the ICSE board provides these students with many more facilities that make studying easier for them. "Firstly, the CCE system of education makes it easier for teachers to detect weaker students. Secondly, they are provided with benefits like readers, writers, longer time duration during exams, etc.," she said.
"Not all students have learning disabilities due to birth defects. Many face slow learning and language issues because of incorrect teaching in their childhood or even language barriers. Once they overcome the latter issues, they can study at the level of their peers," said Pinto. "These children need personal attention and empathy. With proper education they can get back to normal," added Pattabhiraman.
While the schools have found ways to help the students with disabilities, there is a need for change in the mindset of the parents who refuse to accept that their child has a disability.
Article taken from : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/learning-disabilities
"Quite a few students suffer from neurodevelopment and mental health-related disabilities and find it difficult in reading, writing and comprehending. In the four years since we began enrollment for our school, we have come across as many as 35 students who need special care and attention,'' said Rajani Pattabhiraman, principal, Euro school.
Alarmed at the soaring numbers of cases of slow-learning among the children, schools in Thane have taken it as a challenge to accept students with poor learning skills and to identify their strengths and prepare them for the mainstream. Unlike earlier when the school authorities would ignore or punish students whose performance slipped due to his or her mental conditions, the authorities today shower special care on such students. "Today, schools not only arrange for the required medical assistance for these students, but also adjust their curriculum to suit the needs of the child. If a student likes drawing, the special educator teaches basic concepts in math or any other subject using art," explained Minal Pinto, student counsellor at the John the Baptist School.
"We also set separate papers, which are easier. This objective easy paper gives them confidence and a feeling of self-worth and they start performing well. We gradually increase the difficulty level," Pinto said.
Pattabhiraman said that in addition to the easy level exams, the ICSE board provides these students with many more facilities that make studying easier for them. "Firstly, the CCE system of education makes it easier for teachers to detect weaker students. Secondly, they are provided with benefits like readers, writers, longer time duration during exams, etc.," she said.
"Not all students have learning disabilities due to birth defects. Many face slow learning and language issues because of incorrect teaching in their childhood or even language barriers. Once they overcome the latter issues, they can study at the level of their peers," said Pinto. "These children need personal attention and empathy. With proper education they can get back to normal," added Pattabhiraman.
While the schools have found ways to help the students with disabilities, there is a need for change in the mindset of the parents who refuse to accept that their child has a disability.
Article taken from : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/learning-disabilities