Asha, an awareness programme on Learning Disability, was organised jointly by the Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS), and Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (KMC), in association with Lions and Lioness Club, over three days here from November 20.
A release by Manipal University here on Monday said that as a part of the awareness programme, occupational therapy students performed street play in Kannada titled ‘Enable and empower all children’ at many public places, including near Sri Krishna Mutt, Bhujanga Park, Venugopal Temple and Malpe Beach on November 21 and 22.
The play depicted some typical symptoms of learning disability in a child and family, and the treatments available. They also distributed educational brochures to the public. The awareness programmes will also held in schools here.
Impact on basic skills
Speaking at the inaugural function, Sebestina Anita D’Souza, Head of the Department of Occupational Therapy, described learning disabilities as neurologically-based processing problems that interfere with learning basic skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics.
She said children with learning disability usually have average or above average intelligence, but have difficulty in coping with academic needs. It could occur with other problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Due to the challenges of learning, some children may not complete school, or may have repeated failures. “Early identification and management is important to enable the children achieve their maximal potential. Their strengths should be emphasised. They could pursue skill-based careers based on their talents and capabilities,” she said.
Supportive environment
She also said that a supportive school environment could help these children have suitable careers. Asha will have awareness programmes, teacher education and screening with the aim of facilitating early intervention targeting children in kindergarten and primary schools.
Poornima Baliga, Dean of KMC, said that eminent personalities such as Albert Einstein who struggled with Learning Disability and yet achieved great success in their fields. Avinash Shetty, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, emphasized on the importance of community support in advocating for Learning Disability.
B. Rajashekar, Dean of SOAHS, said around 10 per cent children have learning disability. Sridhar Shenava, District Lions Governor, was present.
