Recently I came to know that another centre for L.D. certification has been opened at Nair Hospital, which is right next to Bombay Central station! Now I wonder how many parents who want their child tested for L.D., know about this new facility at a convenient location. Till a few months back, L.D. testing was available only at Sion Hospital(Lokmanya Tilak Hospital) for entire Maharashtra. Parents had to wait for days on end for an appointment to get their child tested for LD. and get the all-important certificate. I hope that with this new centre, now things will be a bit easier for parents.
To minimize the trauma of the parents, I feel that both these centres need to disseminate relevant information; about the steps and procedure of testing to parents and inform the schools about the concessions to be given to students ... What happens at present is that the child is tested by professionals like psychologists, special educators etc. and other child guidance clinics. But as these test results are not recognized by Sion hospital the child has to undergo testing once again for certification. After certification , the parent is still not sure about what is in store for his child from the school’s side.
A major flaw of the system is that the child is made to undergo tests time and again; secondly, the unclear procedures and guidelines about the concessions make life hell for the parent.
I have expressed my views about LD in my Editor's note also and attached a news clipping. It will be interesting to know the parent's point of view and to hear the school authorities speak.
Moreover this is just the Diagnostic part. What about the therapeutic part, i.e. Remedial Education? Both the certification centre and the schools hardly do anything about it. What should the parent do? What is the use of diagnosis if there is no therapy? Giving concessions is one of the ways to help the child with LD but not the only way.
I am quite concerned about this state of affairs. So I plan to hold a lecture series and a dialogue between the professionals, school authorities and the parents. What do you feel ? Let me know.
