Children with learning disabilities must be helped to attain self-respect

Pune, October 30, 2018 : Educators and teachers specializing in development of children with learning disabilities came together to discuss issues of these students and to exchange experience to find productive solutions for them.

A program for Dyslexia Awareness was organized by Kaveri Counseling Centre of Kaveri Group of Institutes. In the event, Medha Marathe, Principal, Vidya Jyoti School for Slow Learners, Diya Basu from
Maharashtra Dyslexia Association, Preeti Broker, Psychiatric Social Worker and Manali Contractor, Psychologist from Sasson Hospital, discussed the role of parents, schools and educators.

Malati Kalmadi, Secretary, Kannada Sangh, Kamini Saxena, Management Facilitator, Prof. P. N. N. Iyer, Mugdha Safai, Supervisor, Anjali Morris Foundation were present among the dignitaries.

‘It is a conception that children with dyslexia see the alphabets dancing and so they find it difficult to read and write. But, it is the phonological component of language that creates difficulties for most of these children, Said Diya Basu. She explained, ‘‘For example, the English alphabet ‘A’ has 5 different sounds associated with it. Like, in A for Apple and A for Above, the sound of letter is different. Not only children with learning disabilities (LD), but other children too get confused with it in the beginning. If the teacher tells them about the language structure and explains rules of language, kids with LD can also cope up with it. So, when such problems arise, we must not think that the child is lazy. Actually, they happen to put twice the effort to cope up than other children. ‘’

‘‘Our education system is such that your academic marks are looked as your personality. Students with ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder’ (ADHD) or Learning Disability (LD) look otherwise normal and so they suffer a lot. But every child needs self-respect, and we must help the kid to attain that.,’’ Said Medha Marathe. ‘‘For children having ADHD or LD, or for slow learners or epileptic, autistic children, vocational training works wonders. May it be painting, file and folder making, jewellery making or paper cutting. It enables these children to concentrate, improves hand and eye coordination and their staying power.,’’ She said.

Manali Contractor spoke about the process for obtaining certificate for learning disability from the government. She said that this certificate helps the child for getting some concessions during the 10th and 12th. Exams. But otherwise the schools should help and accommodate the child with LD from the 1st standard itself and no government certification should be needed for that, She said.

Preeti Broker said that every child need someone at home and at school who will believe their ability to do something. It motivates them to perform their best. May it be their parents, friends or even the beloved pets, She said.