CHENNAI, Jan 28: At least 10% of children in the country have a learning disability, say experts at Learn 2012, an international conference on inclusive education and vocational options, here on Thursday.

Speaking at a pre-conference press meet, organizers said one in 200 people in India have autism, while an estimated 30 million children are known to be dyslexic. The only way to handle the situation is early detection and intervention by which the symptoms of unacceptable language and behaviour can be minimized, they said. The two-day international conference will begin on Friday.

"We have attained success in mainstreaming children with autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities. We are now thinking of vocational options for them to train in so that they will become self-reliant and eventually independent," said Lakshmi Krishnakumar, learning disability director of Sankalp, an institution providing remedial instruction to children with learning disabilities and autism.

Four experts from the UK, with experience in designing and implementing vocational training and inclusive education modules to children in the UK, are participating in the conference. Special education consultant Christine Morris, who has spent the last 20 years working with teachers in Indian schools, said, "I am going to talk about how to engage all the children in the class. Children who are often called naughty, troublesome or lazy actually have needs to be addressed."


Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com