Frequently Asked Question

1. Why do we need special schools for challenged Children ?
2. Should we put the child in a normal school or special school in case of mild retardation ?
3. What should be expected from the special school ?
4. What should be the aims for these special children ?
5. What is the right age to start training/education of special children ?
6. Do the children respond to the teachings ?
7. How do you teach these special children ?
8. What is the role of parents & family in proper development of these children ?
9. What results should be expected for various categories of children ?
10. How are children with borderline MR different from normal children ?
11. When will the child become alright & will he/she be able to lead a normal life ?

(1) Why do we need special schools for challenged Children ?

Answer Because these children need individual attention. Each child has weakness in certain areas and is good in certain areas of development. The aim is to minimize the limitations due to any weakness and to nurture the abilities of the child for his maximum development. This type of individualized teaching is not possible in a normal school. TOP

(2) Should we put the child in a normal school or special school in case of mild retardation ?

Answer: Ideally a child with mild retardation should be put in a normal school for maximum positive influence from the peer group. But in such cases, the school staff & teaches should be very supportive and protective otherwise the child may develop a low self esteem and negative psychology. TOP 

(3) What should be expected from the special school ?

Answer: A special school should impart formal education to those children who are capable of it. Other children should be encouraged and taught to become independent as far as possible. The development should be in fields of motor functioning, activities of daily living, language & social development, reading & writing skills, time money & basic arithmetic skills and vocational training etc. TOP 

(4) What should be the aims for these special children ?

Answer: The ultimate aim is to make the lives of these special children independent and productive as far as possible. The result may vary according to the disease from which the child is suffering, the age at which these efforts are started and the sincerity with which these efforts are made. The target is to develop functional, age appropriate and community referenced goals for each child so that they acquire skills necessary for independent living in the community. TOP 

(5) What is the right age to start training/ education of special children?

Answer: As soon as the parents come to know that their child is having some problem, they should contact specialized centre which provide early stimulation programs for very small babies also. The earlier the problem is attended, better is the outcome. TOP 

(6) Do the children respond to the teachings?

Answer:  Definitely yes. Although the rate of progress is very slow and is variable in each child, the progress is sure if there is no progressive medical disease. TOP 

(7) How do you teach these special children?

Answer: Though each child is different from the other & hence requires individualized instructions, there are certain fundamental principles that have to be kept in mind while imparting any skill to the child. Teaching must always proceed from (a) Simple to complex (b) Know to unknown (C) Whole to part. The child has to first learn a given task, then has to perform the task consistently in correct manner & then has to learn to apply the skill appropriately in any given situation. TOP 

(8) What is the role of parents & family in proper development of these children?

Answer: Family support  increases the rate of development in following ways-
(i) Since the memory is very short, continuous reinforcement of what is being taught at school at home is important.
(ii) If any behavior is learned at school & then also practiced at home, it ultimately gets generalized i.e. the child learns that this behavior has to be practiced everywhere. (iii) Family support gives emotional stability & thus better results can be achieved. TOP 

(9) What results should be expected for various categories of children

Answer: Dull normal Below average academic performance. Otherwise adjusts in normal school. Social adjustment not very much affected. Satisfactory occupational performance in non-technical areas.

Educable Second to fifth grade achievement in school academic areas. Social adjustment that will permit some degree of independence in the community, Occupational sufficiency that will permit partial or total self support. Trainable Learning primarily in the areas of self-help skills. Social adjustment usually limited to home & closely surrounding areas. TOP 

(10) How are children with borderline MR different from normal children?

Answer: The difference can be perceived in following mental functions.

(i) Attention span is less in MR child.
(ii) Memory MR child cannot remember things for long unless continuously reinforced.
(iii) Abstract thinking Concepts which have no physical form eg days of week etc are hard to grasp for MR children unless associated with some physical event/ thing.
(iv) Problem solving this capability is affected in MR child.
(v) Generalization of behavior and adaptation in unfamiliar circumstances is also affected. TOP

(11) When will the child become alright & will he/she be able to lead a normal life?

Answer: There is no fixed pattern of development & it depends on many factors like the environment of the child, general health of the child etc. the degree of damage and the nature of disease that has caused the problem is also a deciding factor. But early & sincere efforts definitely bring results & children may lead a productive and independent life by the time they reach adulthood. TOP