The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has made recommendations to assist dyslexic students. These tips will assist teachers in dealing with kids who have dyslexia or other learning problems.
Professor MP Poonia, Vice-Chairman of the AICTE, said that talks are underway with several organisations to manage children with special needs. He said, "First tip is to appreciate these students and not criticise them. Second is such children should not be asked to read out loud in front of the entire class. Thirdly, we also suggest that students who are facing difficulty in learning should not be punished. Fourth is that teachers should not expect a lot of writing work from these kids."
He continued, "Fifth, such students should not be asked to copy the work from the book. Teachers should encourage students to do homework online."
"The children should be given an environment in which they can understand clearly. Such students should be given a chance to answer orally," he quipped.
Indumati Rao, Founder and Regional Advisor, CBR Networks, Bangalore; Balendu Sharma Dadich, Director - Localisation and Accessibility, Microsoft; and Shefali Gulati, Chief Child Neurology, Delhi AIIMS Paediatrics section, were among those included by the AICTE to raise awareness about dyslexia.
A webinar on the topic will be held in the near future.
The AICTE believes that society should develop a support structure to provide a cushion for such youngsters, allowing them to overcome their feelings of ineptitude.
The societal stigma surrounding dyslexia must be broken, according to AICTE President Anil D Sahasrabuddhe, and this would only be achievable with the help of awareness programmes.
"Parents of a dyslexic child need emotional support. AICTE will become the driving force behind this much-appreciated change," the AICTE President said.