City Pioneer- The Pioneer, Lucknow, February 27, 1998, Page no.15

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Puja Awasthi  profiles Asmita, an organization that takes care of slow learners

In the world of colours, between black and white lies grey. In the realm of the human mind, between the normal and handicapped is a class of people who are neither. These are subnormal/mentally dull/borderlines cases or slow learners.

Technically, slow learners have an IQ between 50-80. They are not disabled but do have mild retardation. Remember the child who has to be explained a simple task numerous times before she can get it right. Or the student who pours over his books all day and yet fails his exam. These are the slow learners.

A few simple questions can help you determine whether your child is a slow learner.

Does your child find it difficult to follow instructions at school? Does he/she display some peculiar habits? Does your child speak indistinctly? etc.

Slow learners face a peculiar situation. They can’t really be a part of the normal world and yet if made to interact with severely mentally handicapped children, their condition will be worst.

Where does a slow learner then go?

It was a question that had bothered Dr Krishna Dutt, clinical psychologist, for a number of years before he came up with the ideal of ‘Asmita’.

Established in 1989, Asmita is a non-profit, charitable organization, which functions as ‘a center for slow learners and mental health care’. It has been conceived in the nature of a day care training and education centre which caters to slow learners between the ages of five and 15. Besides Dr Dutt, Mrs. Dutt and three teachers, a panel of visiting experts – paediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists, physiotherapists and speech therapists, are associated with Asmita. These experts are consulted as per the requirements of the children.

A child which comes to Asmita, is first assessed to determine his IQ. Observational remarks  like speech problems, lack of concentration are duly noted. Then each aspect of the child’s behavior, e.g.: violent and destructive behavior, reading, writing problems, hyperactivity, repetitive behavior etc are rated on 1 to 10 scale. Based on this, behavior for next month is formulated and progress reports are made every two-three months.

Asmita takes care of these children in two ways. The first priority is to deal with behavioral anomalies, children according to their abilities.

Based on their IQ, slow learners can be divided into two groups. The first group of IQ between 50 and 70 is capable of receiving primary education whereas the second (IQ 70-80) can be educated to junior high school level. (It rarely happens, but children with very high IQ  may also be slow learners).

What the children receive at Asmita is not formal education as normally understood. Both groups start with basics like article recognition, colour discrimination, reading and writing in the local dialect (which depends on family background) and minimum calculations. Because of their limited intelligence, these children cannot study as wide an array of subjects as average children.

The question of what would be the ideal syllabus for such children is still a matter of much research. Some children may well join ‘normal’ schools after a couple of months’ guidance at Asmita, although acceptability at such schools remains a problem.

Teaching such children requires immense patience and motivation and yet when these children learn some- thing It is not usual for them to perform at much higher levels than average children. Dr Dutt explains “This is because they have  one-dimensional  minds . They have fever distractions and are more focused”

For the 15 children  at Asmita, this is their school where they can be what they are. They are not made to face excessive competition which would only depress them .The emphasis is not learning by rate but on removing their complexes. And once these are gone they become so confident of their capabilities so as to perform at levels which make visitors to the school wonder if  they really are  slow  learners

Today Asmita runs two four- hour shifts with school uniforms and celebrations at Republic Day and Children/s Day. It is quite like a normal school what’s more, there is a van for commuting. The charges for which depends on the petrol expenses. It is not obligatory. Similarly, only those who can afford it, pay fees or make other contributions towards the running of the center.

Asmita is also working towards removing faulty perceptions that surround  mentally deficient children. The idea is that “These  Children are a challenge not a curse” persons have to be  counseled.

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