V3I3P19

Identification Needs and Problems of Children with Disabilities

Dr. Yad Ram^1*

Abstract

Children with Disabilities constitute a category of those having variations ranging from Sensory, Physical, neurological, intellectual, communications with deviations in different degrees. Therefore, the nature and extent of disabilities calls for due attention including their identification. Their timely identification is very essential from the point of view of their education and desired performance therein as the same has implications for adaptation of school programs, provisions according to their needs and Problems related to their specific disabilities.

For this purpose, the schools are required to have provision of professional Service(s) to identify children of different age group- pre-Schools, adolescents and Youth. One such effort to identify Pre-Schoolers who need Professional attention is child find. Children having severe problems related to vision, hearing, physical or mental disabilities can be identified before attaining school going age as their handicaps are quite apparent and mere obvious and obstetricians, pediatrians, physicians and parents can identify such children. The children whose Problems are not of severe nature are identified through formal screening.  At the school stage initially the class teacher can observe the problems of such Children and can refer them to concerned Specialist of those related problems-Psychologists, Psychiatrists physicians, Speech – Language pathologist, ophthalmologist, Audiologists or other for further in depth assessment.

Keywords:

Children with Disabilities; Early Identification; Child Find; School-Based Screening; Special Education Services