Teacher workshop on learning disabilities amongst children.

A workshop was organised by the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disability (NIEPID) with the Rehabilitation Council of India (R.C.I.) between 14 and 18 February, 2017.

The workshop was enriching as it shared details about the Revised Law of Person with Disability Act (PWD), which was announced on 16th December 2016. Ms. Najma Salem, co-ordinator and speaker, Ms. Sabri Ghosh, social workers were the resource persons for the workshop. Teachers from different schools participated. Schools that were represented were Air Force School-Dhaula Kuan, Mr. Dhiraj Bhasin, founder member of Aadhar Clinic for children with Special Needs (especially Autism), Tamana School, Vasant Vihar, Four Steps Kailash Colony, Jeevan Dhara Barelli etc.

The workshop highlighted the following points. Learning disability is a general term that describes the numerous kinds of learning problems like reading, writing, listening, speaking, reasoning and tackling math. Specific disabilities are:

1. Dyslexia Refers to difficulty in reading.

2. Dysgraphia Refers to difficulty in writing. 3. Dyscalculia Refers to difficulties with math. 4. Dyspraxia __ Refers to difficulties with motor tasks. 5. Auditory Processing Disorders __ Refers to difficulty with identifying sounds. 6. Aphasia __ Refers to difficulty with comprehending words 7. Sensory Processing Disorder __ Refer to difficulty with processing information

8. Short and Long Term Memory Problems __ Refer to difficulty with recall ability.

While there is often no significant symptom of a learning disability, there are certain clues. If a student shows even a few of the following signs, then parents and teachers should become alert about the possibility of a learning disability.

Trouble learning the alphabet, rhyming words, and connecting letters to sounds. Making multiple mistakes while reading aloud. Awkward pencil grip and poor handwriting skills. Trouble following multiple directions. Not following social rules of conversation. Confusing mathematical symbols and numbers. Emotional and/or social issues.

Due to the special requirements of these students Special Educational Programs adapt teaching methodology and the delivery of instructions to meet the appropriate needs of each student.

It was an enriching learning as speakers shared their expertise to enhance teaching strategies and techniques used by us in schoolsZ Ms. Madhuri Rajdev, Special Educator.