In her early practice, she discovered that hardly anyone knew about the Hidden Handicap – Learning Disabilities. There was this large chunk of students who were falling through the cracks, termed as lazy, dumb, inattentive, where in fact they were intelligent, clever. Teachers didn’t know what was wrong with them or how to handle them. These children were unable to score well, due to problems in reading, spellings, writing, mathematical reasoning and calculations, comprehension, organization. She made it her life’s mission, her purpose; to help these special children and their families overcome the limitations of the hidden handicap.
Dr. Analpa, Tell us about yourself and the work you do.
I come from a modest family where the dignity of labor was instilled in us. I always had an urge to help; even in school days, I helped a classmate who had mobility issues. I think I was made that way, nature and nurture playing their roles.
I have a background in Child Development, Clinical Psychology, and Special Education. Teaching is my forte, and research has added to the focus in work. A Ph.D. in Psychology took me to another level, career-wise. My inclination was always to help those children who found it difficult to cope with school; those who were intelligent, yet not treated well and were frustrated
I have worked with NGOs at the executive level; with several schools as a consultant, to set up resource centers and training the staff; with hospitals as a consulting psychologist. I had my own clinic which offered services like assessments for Learning Disabilities, remedial classes, training the teachers, parent training, counseling, handling behavioral and emotional issues. I had an idea of having a parallel school where ancillary skills that are rarely taught in schools will be taught to the children enrolled in the program.
Tell us about your feelings about this work?
I am very passionate about my life generally and my work specifically. This work is challenging, mentally exhausting but very satisfying. It involves hard work, creativity in teaching, creating innovative teaching-learning materials. And the trick is to teach children peripheral skills, without them feeling that they are studying. That way they are more receptive and responsive.
How does it impact society?
The impact is huge. It is threefold- it happens on a personal level, on a family level, and on the societal level. Basically non-performance in school leads to low self-esteem, damaged self-image, problems in socialization, peer ridicule, and so much more on the psychological health front for the child.
The society is losing a lot of talent. The children who are not performing as per parental expectations are burdened with more and more of academic inputs, ignoring their strengths, talents which actually add to their personality. If we let them pursue their talents not bogging them down with academics, we may add to the quality of individuals in the society. We have examples of Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Richard Branson, Agatha Christie, Bill Gates, to name a few. If given a chance, who knows, we could get many more of such stalwarts even today.
And mind you, the percentage of LD is as high as 10-20%, and much of our society is still ignorant about it. Multilingualism in India adds to the problem.
What are the jobs available in this field? Which companies/hospitals offer such jobs?
There are many jobs and opportunities now available. CBSE has made it mandatory to have special educators in each school. Many hospitals / clinics also are recruiting special educators in the pediatric section. The field of special education is booming because people are gradually becoming aware, and know that special educators can help.
What qualifications and qualities does a person need to enter this field?
A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in special education or psychology, with additional courses to upgrade one’s skills for remedial teaching as well as counseling, is essential.
Unfortunately, a regular B.Ed. does not have Learning Disabilities in their curriculum, when actually 5-10 children in a class of 50 may be having learning difficulties. So we are unable to meet the need. The demand and supply are off-balance.
As far as the qualities needed to make a difference in this field, you first and foremost need, patience. Other qualities that are required are love for children, the urge to help, creativity, hard work, love for teaching, working tirelessly. Sensitivity, empathy, analytical ability and being ethical and true to the profession, are also some good qualities that set you apart in this profession and help you make that much-needed difference.
What is the earning potential for a person when he starts out in this job?
The earning potential to start with may be as good as a teacher, and it increases as one gains experience. Schools are hiring special educators as per the Indian Sixth Pay Commission. Setting up one’s own private practice is also a possibility. But ultimately it all depends on what and how you deliver your services.
What is your message to our Sheroes?
I can only talk about myself – I never advertised my work, just kept on working diligently, meticulously. The message to myself was - Don’t work for money, name and fame. Just keep on working, and helping. Everything will come in time and things will fall into place. Patience, passion, and dedication is the name of the game. I believed it then, I believe it now.
Here is a lady, a Shero who creates Heroes and Sheroes out of special children. Her purpose, her dedication to her work is remarkable and highly inspiring. In each of our lives, we have seen, met, interacted with special children and their families. Let’s try and embrace their difference and include them in our lives.
By-Sonali Brahma