Taare Zameen Par...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Most of us here must have seen Taare Zameen Par, a story of a dyslexic child and an art teacher. If the art teacher role played by Aamir Khan, would have not realised the problem of dyslexia in his student, the child would have never done something special and hence, accepted by the society. The teacher has recognised the child so well and soon not because, he was teacher, but because he himself claims that he was dyslexic too. That’s all about a movie which always has to have a happy ending and that’s why called as a beginning. But like this special need child, there are thousands of children who are having some or other (personal/family) issues that continuously bother them. However, we can understand the problem better if we have been anytime in our life, have came across with it.
The regular school teachers should know or understand a little about the early sign or so called ‘Red Flag Sign’ of conditions like Autism, Dyslexia and other learning disabilities and Mental Retardation especially the borderline cases or mild to moderate cases. It is not to blame teachers, but I think it is the system that has always trained them for the regular students only.
In our country given the paucity of trained resources in the rehabilitation field, it is impractical to think replicating developed world model of health care. So, we need to develop resources locally, which can be available by training and developing skills to enhance care level. Empowering teachers, educate them with the basic child development and psychology can help in identifying the problem areas earliest. Any ignorance or lack of knowledge can aggravate the problem. In
Conditions like ASD (Autism spectrum Disorder), learning Disability, ADHD (Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder), mild/ moderate Mental Retardation; Family issues etc generally don’t attract attention early as the child grows physically normally. However, to handle the special need children the school may need the special staff if the child gets into inclusive education. Besides, family the teachers are the care takers and are considered to be the builder of a person. So, if the teachers are aware and educated about the above problems, they can help them by referring earliest. Hence, the child can get the benefits of Early Intervention. However most of teachers might feel uncomfortable to handle special needs children as they require more attention and effort.
Teachers can play an important role because:
Ø The parents think always optimistically and not ready to accept the problem or can easily be misguided by the surroundings. So, teachers should always be alert to notice the signs and then refer to further assessment and evaluation.
Ø Now days most parents are working so, they have little time to spare with their children. Maximum time of the children goes in their Pre schools with primary teachers. So, teachers need to be more prompt to realise the problems.
Ø Since, every parent wants their child to get proper education so they send them to the best schools as per their affordability. So, if teachers are aware that something is different with the child, they can inform parents and ask them to take professionals help.
The child development is flexible and its potential may vary with the environment. Every child is different and hence, special. The distribution curve shows that most children resemble with the average in many traits, but there are few children who deviate from the generally accepted norms in any one of many ways. These deviations may give rise to multifactorial problems of adjustment at home, school and social setting and thus, leads to addition of problems in deviation. Deviation can be in terms of physical, social, emotional and mental characteristics.
According to PWD ACT 1995, the differently abled children are to be integrated in regular school. Integration in regular school promotes personal, emotional and physical adjustment to establish healthy interpersonal relationship.
As very well said for teachers, "I touch the future. I teach." (Christa McAuliffe)
Teachers are one who polishes the child to diamond; otherwise no body can recognise the capacity of child. If the teachers are cooperative and encouraging, the slow learners and mild to moderate MR can learn in control and stimulated environment. However, the teachers have to bear the extra load of arranging the different curriculum and have to be creative. For these special need children, the teacher has to play a role of designer, instructor, motivator and trainer.
Posted byNeeti at 10:52 PM
Labels: advocacy, autism, awareness, child education, early intervention, Experiences, guidance, inclusion, information sharing, Learning disability, tips
Here comes the role of Rehabilitation professionals or the one who fals in this cateogry( Special educator, Speech, OT,PT, and ST)to go in different schools no matter its private or government. There should be a mandatory program or system in each school from the govt of India to go and identify, assess, implemnt and evaluate the program. Not only these services but also to train the administrations as well as the teachers. Everyone should come forward to help and bring the awareness on regular basis to see the success in India. There are many institutes/organisations/universities who are producing every year number of qualified and certified educators and rehb personnel and professionals or therapist but how well they are able to creat an awareness and visit the schools???
We can not simply blame the teachers or feel them responsible to identify the children. Each school should have a resource person or govt should provide or appoint theses rehb professionals in each sectors ( private or govt/ local sectors) who are qualified n certified. everyone got to contribute on regular basis and in natural environment. Working together will bring the success.
That's truly said....I agree with this. It is a collaborative effort from parents, professionals and teachers...
Regards
Teachers must be trained to handle these students. As I'm a B.Ed student we have vast syllabus to finish, but there is no topic to study on this kind of children...
thats true ambica....
if some information is added in b ed curriculum it can really make lot of difference.
but as a teacher, mother, and citizen we all should be aware of the red flag signs which can help every one..
best wishes