Despite
the move by the Centre to include dyslexia in the draft bill of Rights
of Persons with Disabilities, announced last year, parents are not
cheering just yet.
While the inclusion of dyslexia as part of the act would mean curbing discrimination against dyslexics and punishment for offences committed against them, parents believe it isn't enough to help their children.
According to over 500 parents across the state who have recognized specific learning disability (SLD) or dyslexia in their children, the problem really lies in the lack of sensitization and awareness amongst the masses and specifically school and college authorities.
"Including dyslexia in the act is a step forward but will not suffice. Dyslexic children are often labeled as 'dullard', 'epileptic' and 'mentally retarded'. Teachers are trained to handle 'normal' students but not those with learning disabilities. School authorities don't know how to deal with such children because they don't have sufficient knowledge about their condition. If taboos are associated with dyslexia, it is purely because of lack of awareness," said Dr S Vemula, mother of a 13-year-old dyslexic son.
Also, though concessions like exemption from a third language, providing a scribe and extra time during examinations exist for dyslexic students, parents say that its implementation leaves a lot to be desired.
Parents rue that there is a paucity of scribes who are well-versed in English, therefore posing a hurdle for dyslexic students in English medium institutions."Recently, a cerebral palsy child appearing for exams in a city college was assigned a scribe who could barely understand English. Even though the child may know the answers, a bad scribe can make things worse which can be extremely demoralizing for the child," said Manisha Gogte, president of Dyslexia Association of Andhra Pradesh (DAAP).
Members of the DAAP had suggested to the state government that parents of dyslexic students turn scribes for other students. The suggestion was, however, turned down. Acquiring a certificate indicating the dyslexic condition of a child is another hurdle that parents have to encounter.
"I had to run from pillar to post because the school authorities were accepting certification from government-run hospitals only, many of which are not equipped with psychologists who can determine the dyslexic condition of the child. Lack of awareness amongst school authorities were making things more difficult. Finally, I was left with no option but to shift my son to a special school," said Neha Puri, mother of a 12-year-old dyslexic boy.
Global figures indicate that about 10% of a given population is dyslexic. DAAP had conducted a study in the state among school children a few years ago and found that 3 per cent of them had some form of dyslexia. "There are comparatively less number of students with SLD in high school, as many of them drop out earlier due to lack of support from school and parents. In a country like ours, such children are pushed to the fringes instead of integrating them with the main stream," Gogte said.
While the inclusion of dyslexia as part of the act would mean curbing discrimination against dyslexics and punishment for offences committed against them, parents believe it isn't enough to help their children.
According to over 500 parents across the state who have recognized specific learning disability (SLD) or dyslexia in their children, the problem really lies in the lack of sensitization and awareness amongst the masses and specifically school and college authorities.
"Including dyslexia in the act is a step forward but will not suffice. Dyslexic children are often labeled as 'dullard', 'epileptic' and 'mentally retarded'. Teachers are trained to handle 'normal' students but not those with learning disabilities. School authorities don't know how to deal with such children because they don't have sufficient knowledge about their condition. If taboos are associated with dyslexia, it is purely because of lack of awareness," said Dr S Vemula, mother of a 13-year-old dyslexic son.
Also, though concessions like exemption from a third language, providing a scribe and extra time during examinations exist for dyslexic students, parents say that its implementation leaves a lot to be desired.
Parents rue that there is a paucity of scribes who are well-versed in English, therefore posing a hurdle for dyslexic students in English medium institutions."Recently, a cerebral palsy child appearing for exams in a city college was assigned a scribe who could barely understand English. Even though the child may know the answers, a bad scribe can make things worse which can be extremely demoralizing for the child," said Manisha Gogte, president of Dyslexia Association of Andhra Pradesh (DAAP).
Members of the DAAP had suggested to the state government that parents of dyslexic students turn scribes for other students. The suggestion was, however, turned down. Acquiring a certificate indicating the dyslexic condition of a child is another hurdle that parents have to encounter.
"I had to run from pillar to post because the school authorities were accepting certification from government-run hospitals only, many of which are not equipped with psychologists who can determine the dyslexic condition of the child. Lack of awareness amongst school authorities were making things more difficult. Finally, I was left with no option but to shift my son to a special school," said Neha Puri, mother of a 12-year-old dyslexic boy.
Global figures indicate that about 10% of a given population is dyslexic. DAAP had conducted a study in the state among school children a few years ago and found that 3 per cent of them had some form of dyslexia. "There are comparatively less number of students with SLD in high school, as many of them drop out earlier due to lack of support from school and parents. In a country like ours, such children are pushed to the fringes instead of integrating them with the main stream," Gogte said.
Source : TOI , 20th August 2013
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