Dyslexic students must be integrated in mainstream

CHENNAI: Denial and lack of foresight by parents are major impediments to the growth of students with dyslexia, a learning difficulty, opined D Chandrasekhar, president, Madras Dyslexia Association (MDA). He spoke to CE at an inter-school art competition, that was organised as part of the dyslexia week (October 2-7) on Monday.He stated that schools and parents put pressure on kids by insisting on academic excellence. “Children may have other skills but they are discouraged from pursuing it. They must be given the opportunity to discover themselves and express their creativity,” he said.

The dyslexia week, which began in 2014, has been observed every year in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchy, said Harini Mohan of MDA. Events such as painting, fire-less cooking, skit, etc are held during the week. “The response by schools has grown with each year. In the first year, around 12 schools sent their kids to the competitions. This year, we are expecting students from 25 schools,” she added.

According to V Ramadoss, one of the parents at the event, schools should a play a major role in facilitating the development of children. “My son is a student of SIET Dyslexic Centre School. The school encouraged him to take part in the painting contest,” he said.The long term aspiration of MDA, Chandrasekhar stated, was to train teachers so that dyslexic children are identified and supported in mainstream schools. “With an estimated 10-15% of school kids having dyslexia, there are not enough resources take care of them. Rather than segregating them, they must be integrated within existing schools, and made to interact with other students.”