From the School Psychologists Desk

All school children need an education that will help them develop relationships and prepare them for life in mainstream society.

Inclusion has the potential to reduce mistrust and build friendship, respect and understanding among children. Segregation of “special needs” students teaches children to be fearful, ignorant and breeds prejudice. Only integration and tolerance will minimise bullying, alienation and name calling among students.

Students with learning disabilities have a lot to offer their peers, families, their educators and themselves. We need to overcome our tendency to focus so much on their limitatations, that we fail to see hidden strengths. Often, the tenacity these children show in the face of continued and overwhelming academic challenges is their real triumph and make them winners in life.

The Counseling & Supportive Instruction unit of Oakridge International School, Newton Campus, Hyderabad organised a seminar  on ‘ Critical issues and current status of Inclusive Education’  on Tuesday, November 15^th 2011.

The seminar brought together school administrators, special educators and Psychologists from the twin cities and highlighted critical issues in mainstreaming children with Special learning needs. With the universalization  of elementary education recommended by the RTE act of 2009, there is a need to create awareness and equip teachers  with skills for effective instruction in inclusive classrooms.

Mr . Manishankar a noted film director was the chief guest . The guest speakers were Dr. Usha Naik ,former professor of child psychiatry at Niloufer Hospital, lMs. Farida Raj , well-known special educator and Dr. Shakila Naidu, consultant clinical psychologist at Oakridge School.

The guest speaker Dr Usha Naik spoke about the current status of inclusive education in regular schools with research data. She discussed problems faced by parents and professionals in mainstreaming students with learning difficulties.

Ms. Farida Raj, highlighted the critical issues in inclusion of students with learning difficulties shared her thoughts about inclusive education. Dr. Shakila Naidu, school psychologist gave an overview on Inclusive education and urged that schools should equip teachers and spread awareness on the importance of inclusion.

A ‘  Special Learning needs ‘ week  was celebrated from 14^th November to 18^th November 2011 at. the school This is an annual event  conducted for promoting  awareness  about special educational needs and learning disorders  for our teachers, students and parents.

The special learning needs week was inaugurated at the Monday assembly with a guest lecture by Ms. Manisha, parent of a child with dyslexia and president of DAAP (Dyslexia Association of A.P) . She spoke about her struggle in getting services for special learning needs and how DAAP was born.

Principal Capt Rohit Sen Bajaj spoke about the importance of Supportive instruction unit and how it is catering to students with learning difficulties which has helped to bridge the gap between learning potential and academic performance in these students.

An Open forum for Oakridge school parents and teachers was organised on Friday, 19^th November. Awareness material was displayed on identification of specific learning disorders and causes for academic underachievement. This helped teachers and students to gain more insights on learning difficulties.

Exhibits on remedial instruction techniques such as phonic  remediation,and multisensory teaching methods were explained. Learning resources, modules of English and Math teaching strategies for junior and senior school students with learning difficulties were demonstrated.

Short poems, fun activities were presented during the assembly by our students on the topics of learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. The S.I week was a huge success and generated a lot of interest among staff and students of Oakridge school.

Dr. Shakila Naidu