'Healthy environment needed for children to overcome disabilities’

Dr Shradha Shejekar: Children with learning disabilities might underperform in certain subjects but might flourish in other

Vasudha Zora | NT

Bengaluru: The most common similarity each human sharing is the DNA or Deoxyribonucleic acid. All humans have 99.6 per cent of the same DNA with only 0.4 percent of variation. However, when it comes to people with learning disabilities this similarity seems to suddenly vanish into thin air.

According to special educators and mental health providers, it all boils down to finding one's own speciality. A little empathy mixed with acceptance paves the way for a journey into a simpler and less complex world which is perfect for anyone to flourish and sharpen their talents.

Consultant Psychiatrist at Specialist Hospital Dr Shradha Shejekar said, “There are several types of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, ADHD and Dyspraxia which are basically disabilities in certain sections which can be in language, speech, social interaction, attention span, hyperactivity or even problems grasping mathematical equations.” The doctor goes on to explain how to diagnose the symptoms.

According to her, children with learning disabilities might underperform in certain subjects but might flourish in other. It is also surprising that some of them have excellent Intelligence Quotient. But the harsh reality is that parents, teacher and relatives try and identify symptoms of learning disabilities through comparisons.

Many parents find it hard to accept that their children might be suffering from a disability while their peers are normal. Special Educator Sangeeta Nayakkankuppam, Deputy Head Brigade Foundation, Brigade school, has worked with children with learning disabilities for more than 20 years and conducts remedial program at the school for these children.

She said, “We first observe the student’s strength and weaknesses. Then, the teachers teaching the curriculum make a plan. A new method of teaching is devised if it is required and with the consent of the parent the remedial program is carried out. The process requires patience and understanding which should be such that the child feels safe and encouraged to do better. The progress itself is charted upon itself.”

Speaking to the News Trail reporter Sangeeta said that a healthy environment plays a vital role. So, parents are given counselling on how to tackle their child and how to be accommodative to their needs. The Brigade school simultaneously imparts education to both normal and special children. This helps in breaching the distance to a great extent giving way for improvement in self-expression, with a safe pace.

Dr Shradha said that children with learning disabilities require repetitive measures such as remedial measures, tuitions. Learning disabilities are fairly existent in adults but in children the symptoms are evident. But the graph sees a certain change as the child steps into adolescence.

“Parents should do a psychological analysis and then get certified by a psychologist if any learning disability is identified. In this way, corrective action can be taken to help the person become self-sufficient,” Dr Shradha said.

In many cases, there is no medication administered and children are treated through specially curated therapeutic programs as per the requirement such as speech therapy, language therapy, remedial and motor movement-related therapies, the doctor further explained.