'Students' learning disability is not a taboo'

Chennai, Oct 30: Andrew T Simkin, Chief Consul for South India, American Consulate, Chennai launching a post graduate diploma in learning disabilities at the Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University on Wednesday, Oct 29, said, "Learning disabilities should not be regarded as an indication that an affected child cannot succeed against the achievements of some of history"s most famous personalities who were considered slow learners in childhood".

Mr Simkin said children with learning disabilities should be helped to overcome their limitation through different ways of learning. “There is a need to cultivate infrastructure to facilitate the detection and management of schoolchildren with learning disabilities so that the students are recognised for the potential they have."

Mr Simkin stressed the need to generate a base of qualified special educators equipped with skills to diagnose learning disability and craft a coping strategy.

He pointed out that such a necessity was all the more relevant in the Indian context in which so much emphasis was placed on education. Indians had shown themselves to be extremely capable in the US, as students and temporary workers. Last year alone, the Chennai Consulate issued visas to more than 14,000 students for pursuing higher studies in the US

He hoped that the newly launched course would help many children better shape the fundamental part of their lives and their careers.

OneIndia News