Hyderabad: According to medical experts, special schools should not be considered as the only option available to children with mental disabilities.
They say that children with mild disabilities can perform at par with their peers with some training. However, they often suffer because of a lack of special educators at regular schools and discrimination.
Dr Preeti Sharma, a pediatrician, says, “Children with mild autism or Down syndrome can perform on par with their peers at regular schools if given the opportunity. They require training from a young age, which makes it crucial for mental disabilities to be detected at an early stage. The earlier students begin interacting with their peers, the better the outcome.”
Medical experts say that regular schools can play an important role in the treatment of such students.
Dr Nanda Kishore, a paediatrician, says, “Students with mental disabilities, except those suffering from extreme cases, should be taught in mainstream schools as interaction with their peers can boost their confidence and morale. It will also make regular students more sensitive towards children with mental disabilities. In most cases, it is ignorance which leads to discrimination.”
The parents of disabled children who have studied at private schools say that they have had to face many problems. Ms Nanda Padmaja, the parent of a mildly-autistic ten-year-old, said, “I have had to shift my child out of three schools. I have repeatedly complained about this to the CBSE board as well. All these private schools agreed to admit my child and collected fees from us, but they did not hire special educators.”
She said that despite being a quick learner, her child was not allowed to participate in the Olympiads and summer camps. “It is hurtful that they do not encourage children with mental disabilities. What is a parent supposed to do,” Ms Padmaja asked. Teachers often accuse such children of disrupting the class, she said.
Although there are many NGO’s which conduct classes for special students, the cause requires support from the government.
There are six special schools in the state, of which five are reserved for children with visual and hearing impairments. Only one school caters to students with other disabilities.
Special educators are a must
All schools need special educators as they are trained to detect early signs of mental disorders and disabilities.
Paediatrician Preeti Sharma said, “It is considered a taboo for parents to take their kids to a psychologists or psychiatrists to have them tested. They prefer to see their kids through rose-tinted glasses. This can lead to an exacerbation of disorders if not treated from an early stage. Special educators must be hired so that they recognise the signs and ensure that the children are taught better.”
