In recent times, there has been a significant increase in developmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and various other learning disabilities in children. These disorders not only affect the cognitive development and growth of children but also the family members, particularly parents and mothers, who become the primary caregivers for these children. These developmental disorders also create other hardships in the lives of the family, be it an extra financial burden on the care of these children, treatment therapy, schooling, and other support, but also alienate them socially. They avoid going to functions, parties, and other events due to their exceptional circumstances and the insensitivity in society towards these issues. They do not want to be in the attention of society due to their children's special needs and conditions. Some of these parents also blame themselves and their past karma, and have difficulty in accepting.
With an increase in nuclear families and a lack of community connections and support, where relationships are becoming more transactional, it is difficult for parents to manage their special children and provide them with a suitable environment where they can grow and become part of a larger society. Sensitivity and inclusiveness have become a major challenge at the individual, family, community, and institutional levels. People need to understand and accept these children and their parents by making space in their hearts and by creating physical space with special arrangements.
The schooling of these children is another challenge, as normal schools are not ready to accept these children. Even if they are admitted, they ask them to leave the school after some time and suggest admitting them to special schools. The school authorities often show their inability to manage these children due to a lack of trained teachers, resources, and other facilities. Parents are running around from one school to another, but schools are not ready to accept their children, which is unjust, cruel, and a crime to deny the right to education to these children who have special conditions. They need a little more care, support, and attention that these schools can provide them easily.
There are examples that other schools can learn from. Ms. Anima Bose and Mr. Diptiman Bose of C F Andrews Memorial English School in Tharpakhana in Ranchi. They are doing an incredible job by accepting these children and providing them with care, guidance, and support. Even being a small school with limited resources, has proved that accepting and integrating these students in normal schools is possible. They have seven students who have autism spectrum disorder studying from nursery to class seventh and eighth. Initially, they were not sure, nor did they have experience, but they started it at the request of a friend and with little support from the Rotary Club of Ranchi. Today, they are bringing change to the lives of these children.
The Government must make it mandatory for all schools to accept these children and provide them with all the necessary requirements in the same environment, which will support them in growing both individually and socially. This will not only provide an opportunity for these special children having developmental disorders but also make our schools and society more inclusive and sensitive. Special schools are needed, but they are not solutions as they promote exclusion. We need to integrate special education into normal schools. Government and private elite schools must accept these students who have special needs and require a little more care, guidance, support, and attention.
The author is a Professor at Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranch. The views expressed are personal.
