An interview with Dr. Shoba Srinath, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services

An interview with Dr. Shoba Srinath, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Services, Department of Psychiatry National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore.

1. What do you mean exactly by the term `special education'?

When we refer to `special education', we talk of education that is not imparted the conventional way. This is so in three types of cases a) autistic b) retarded and c) slow learners. The adaptive and the global skills of these children when compared to a normal child are slow. These children are unable to cope with simple factors that could range from communication skills to social skills, and with their disability to adapt to such a natural skills such a child may never be able to overcome any of the factors. A slow learner on the other hand is neither retarded or autistic, they are children who would require a little extra assistance to help them better their performance in academics. Slow learners have `Specific Learning Disability' (SLD). This is a neurological condition. The best remedy for SLD is remedial teaching for normal and extra activity.

2. What do you attribute the sudden interest in this field of education to?

Earlier society was ignorant about autism. There were very few who knew what it was all about. People were ignorant of the fact that if the child was treated his life could improve to a considerable extent. There is need to make the life of a child better. The awareness could be due to the spurt of education among a larger section of people. There is still a lot to be done, and it is impossible for just a handful of people to make the change. We still need to have a wider coverage on these specially gifted children and make people aware that they are a part of the society. There has to be co-operation from people and institutions and it will not be long when autistic children are accepted as a part of the society and with the extra effort and care they will be leading a near normal life within the society.

3. Are there any specific institutions/universities that offer courses in special education?

There are a few institutions/ universities that offer these courses. Sadly they are all concentrated in the larger cities.

The National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) in Secunderabad offers a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education. There are various other Institutions in India that offer diploma courses.

4. What kind of training does one need to undergo to teach these specially gifted children?

It is essential that a special education teacher must have excellent interpersonal skills, for these teachers can have to not only teach the students but also help the parents. The teachers have to make the utmost attempts to help the children develop self-help skills and tune the adaptive skills as well.

5. What is the awareness of autism?

Not all the cases of autism affected are congenital. There can be a case of a normal child being involved in a severe accident that could have affected the neurological system that led to autism.

Some cases of autism may not be as severe as they seem to be. Correct medication and regular sessions with the doctor can help the patient improve considerably. How fast or slow a child learns depends on the severity of his condition.

6. Are there any better known Institutions in the country that offer their services to these children?

There are quite a few institutions in the country that help such challenged children. To name a few -

1.Rehabilitation Council of India

Set up by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the Delhi-based organisation's main role is to promote the development of manpower for rehabilitation.

2. Centre for Special Education (DISHA).

Based in Jaipur, DISHA provides an opportunity for children with physical and multiple disabilities - particularly those with cerebral palsy - to discover themselves and develop their potential.

3. National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH)

Based in Secunderabad, this is a part of the National Institutes of Health that conducts and supports research on the brain, behaviour and mental health services.

4. Montfort Schools

An education institution that originated in France runs a host of high schools and special schools in India. The organisation imparts technical education, educational of deaf, the dumb and the blind, the physically and mentally.

5. Institute for Remedial Intervention Services (IRIS)This Institution offers training for teachers and parents of the mentally handicapped, specialising in autistic children.

6. SETU Developmental Intervention Centre

A rehabilitation and education centre for developmentally disabled young children.

PRATIBHA GADHALAY

pratibha.hyd@careercommunity.co.in