MANGALORE: In a class of sixty students, at least three have learning disability. Approximately 5 per cent of primary school students suffer from learning disability. Given the magnitude of the problem, it is crucial that teachers recognise and respond to the needs of these children sensitively, said Ravish Thunga, professor and the head of the department of Psychiatry, Kasturba Medical College.

He was speaking after inaugurating a University Grants Commission (UGC)-sponsored workshop on learning disability conducted by the Department of Psychology and the Research and Development Cell of St. Agnes College, on Friday.

These children were poor in language, speech, reading, writing and arithmetic. But learning disability need not be the only reason for poor academic performance. Lower intelligence levels and behavioural and emotional problems could be some of the other reasons, he said.

According to him, some children in regular schools might have low levels of intelligence quotient or borderline mental retardation, which is difficult to identify.

Behaviour problems such as attention deficit disorder might also lead to poor performance in class.

Emotional problems such as anxiety or depression could also cause scholastic backwardness. Problems at home, school, or in the peer group might cause emotional problems for the child.

Understanding children

It was essential that teachers understand these reasons and did not insult or humiliate the child for performing poorly in a test, said Dr. Thunga.

S. Venkatesan, professor and head of Department of Clinical Psychology, All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, Mysore, was the resource person for the workshop.

Nearly 150 primary school teachers, counsellors and psychology students from different parts of the State participated.

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