MDF assesses at least 500 students every year for learning disabilities and trains them
Dyslexic children with dishes they prepared at fireless cooking competition organised by Madras Dyslexia Foundation on Tuesday. -DC
Chennai: At least 10-15 per cent of school children face a learning disability or dyslexia. But, only a few schools have centres for dyslexic children in the city. “Given the number of dyslexic children, only 10 schools have learning centres. Parents must know about dyslexia. Often, parents refuse to accept that their child is dyslexic. Every school must have learning centres for dyslexic and our next initiative is to set up such centres in schools,” said D. Chandrasekhar, founder and president of Madras Dyslexia Foundation at the week-long programme to observe Madras Dyslexia week on Tuesday.
The MDF assesses at least 500 students every year for learning disabilities and trains them accordingly. They also learn various skills at centres,” he said.“A decade ago people considered dyslexia a mental illness. After the film Taare Zameen Par there has been a lot of awareness about dyslexia. Parents should understand the learning disability and not pressurize kids to learn and join the mainstream.
These children are more creative than normal kids and should be encouraged to pursue their area of interest,” said special educator Vilasini Diwakar.On Tuesday more than 40 kids took part in fireless cooking at MDF. Mrudula, A parent, “Parents must encourage the kids to develop other skills. I am happy that my 12-year-old loves cooking and I will encourage her,” Mrudula said. There are only five or six reputed centres in Chennai.
“According to estimate there are nearly 30 million dyslexic children in India and there is a dearth of special educators,” said Subhashini Rao, director (admin), Sankalp-The Open School, adding, “Though University of Madras offers special educators’ programme, not many join schools that cater to autistic and dyslexic kids due to the meagre salary,” adding there are 25 special educators at Sankalp.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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