Parents in the United States demand for compensation from schools due to the disappointing response towards the education of special needs children during the pandemic.
By: Gursimran Kaur
Tags: Special Needs, Makersbox, STEM, Education Technology, Education

Pablo Picasso once stated beautifully, “ There is only one way to look at things until someone shows us how to look at them with different eyes.” This accurately consizes the nature of children with special needs and the core concept of their education.

In Psychology, a child with an intellectual disability isn’t viewed as lacking but rather “special”. These are children who don’t comprehend and absorb knowledge the way their peers do. Their brains are hard-wired differently. And hence, they require specially curated learning programmes to cater to their unique systems of erudition.

But this is where the problem lies. According to census reports, there are approximately 2.8 crore people with disabilities in India. But there is a drought of trained professionals equipped to assist these students. A research suggested that only 10% of educators in primary schools and 20% in secondary schools are taught about special needs. This is a lopsided scenario which becomes an obstacle in making efficient learning accessible to all.

The pandemic has caused further retrogression in children struggling with intellectual disabilities. While some students are adjusting well to the virtual form of learning as it caters to their visual and auditory senses, others are finding it difficult to adjust without the provision of an inclusive and congenial environment. The advocacy group “Speak UP” conducted a survey where it was concluded that almost 75% of parents with special needs children said that they are showing signs of regression during distance learning.

Even though progress with these children during a pandemic could seem utopian, there are methods that could definitely make it easier. It is important to understand that during this time, the children require the trifecta of parent and teacher cooperation along with technological inputs.

The most important aspect is to maintain regular communication between the parents and the educators to understand the setup of the home. A structure and routine should be established. This helps reduce anxiety within the children as they will be able to differentiate between play time and study time, which could easily homogenize in quarantine. Lastly, it is crucial to ensure that the sensory and movement needs of the child are being met. These can be achieved by simple activities like running outside, playing a game of jenga or just offering a hug.

Studies show that 85% of students with disabilities can master general education content if they receive the needed support. For this they require the appropriate resources and individualized education programmes. MakersBox is a tinkering lab which provides a space for children to learn by exploring their senses- visual, kinetic, auditory. It promotes STEM based learning which focuses on skill building which has been found to be resourceful for special needs children. If you are a special educator and wish to help us equip ourselves to assist these children better, reach out to us at https://makersbox.in.