Keen to learn more about inclusive workplaces? Want to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community? Download our special report with Randstad India on making Inclusion without Exception happen
My son is on the autism spectrum. I send him to a parallel school which is perfect for him, so it is unfair that I'm judged for it.
My son is on the autism spectrum. I send him to a parallel school which is perfect for him, so it is unfair that I’m judged for it.
My son goes to a parallel school. It has the NIOS board. The school is also a part of the state board regular school. And is run by a reputed trust.
I have always been asked why do you send your kid there. Even my parents and in-laws were confused and apprehensive about our decision. Neighbors and friends all raised eyebrows. Even parents on the same footing as mine suggested that special school is a no-no!
So starting from the beginning, I enrolled my kiddo in a well-known playgroup. They charged a whopping 65k rupees. And within 2 months of admission, he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum and experts suggested early and intensive therapies. That meant no time for school. When I withdrew my son I requested the school to refund the remaining amount but were refused.
After 1 year we enrolled my son in a small playgroup. Run by an angel (a mother who is on a forum I am a member of – she has been a blessing for my son) that school proved a boon. Her school was a happy place for my son, though he still couldn’t speak and needed therapy, he was enjoying the school and bonding with his teachers. The annual day event was a blast for him.
After a while, we decided to put him to this parallel school. It’s almost a year here now. And my son is a happy child here. He gets all the therapies required, gets individual attention and infrastructure’s great. He gets occupational therapy, speech therapy, remedial education, pet therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and he gets to mingle amongst kids! He has learned a lot. My kiddo can now write alphabets and numbers, and tries to speak. Can take off and wear his shoes and socks, loves to exercise and loves his teachers, and teachers love him back. His needs are fulfilled.
My son needs that special attention in school which can not possibly be given in the regular classroom. Teachers are not trained and shadow teachers inculcate dependency. And I have seen how a shadow teacher can become a horror.
My son can’t speak, so his chances of getting bullied are high, and I wouldn’t even know that he is being bullied in the classroom as he cannot tell me. I will never be able to know his version of stories.
He needs a well-structured environment, which is not intimidating and overwhelming for him. A classroom full of 20 plus kids can be exactly that.
I have heard from his therapist how few schools treat special needs kids.
Because my child and I are judged. We are told that my son will learn behavioral issues from other kids. I tell you if he does, it will be a cause for celebration. Because he cannot imitate. His learning that will also indicate that he is also learning an important life skill.
I am told that there are kids in “those” schools who have issues. Which kid doesn’t? And why stereotype? At the end of the day kids anywhere are kids!
There is a boy in my son’s school; he is 14 years old and can’t speak. Gets anxious easily. He is a big boy in size. My son loves him. And he adores my son! I have never felt fear or insecurity when he is there.
There is a kiddo on a wheelchair. The bus staff member who comes to pick him up is trying to teach him to push his chair on his own. I see the joy on that bus staff member’s face and on the face of that kid whenever he successfully maneuvers his chair. You won’t be able to see that everywhere.
I see a young girl of 18 on a wheelchair, volunteering there to teach and her parent waiting for the whole duration of the school hours. You won’t see that kind of purpose everywhere. And I have a 1000 such stories!
When I go to school to drop my son off every morning, I see hope and happiness there. I think I made a great choice in choosing the school for my kiddo. Because it’s not just the teachers, it’s the kids there who teach you about life.
It’s not about the board, the type of school, the syllabus. It’s the heart and the purpose of that school which matters.
Published here earlier.
Image source: pixabay
Guest Bloggers are those who want to share their ideas/experiences, but do not have a profile here. Write to us at [email protected] if you have a special situation (for e.g. want read more...
Women's Web is an open platform that publishes a diversity of views, indivisual posts do not necessarily represent the platofrom's views and opinions at all times.
Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!
Neelu might have outwardly forgiven Ramesh, but in her mind, which once was filled with unconditional love for Ramesh, there was now a seed of resentment.
Ramesh’s footsteps paused at the entrance of the hotel’s ballroom. Inside, his school’s reunion party was going in full swing. The air was heavy, as expensive perfumes and the aroma of food from the buffet table, mingled. There were low murmurs, tinkling laughs and clinks of cutlery.
Ramesh had not wanted to come, knowing that she would be there. She, Neelu, who once had been the love of his life. Taking a deep breath, Ramesh entered the room. His eyes found Neelu almost immediately. She still looked the same. Maybe there was now grey in her hair and a few wrinkles on her face. But her vivacity, her mannerisms were still the same. Things, that had first attracted him.
Stop glorifying biological parenthood - other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple's choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Stop glorifying biological parenthood – other methods of growing a family are just as valid, and completely a couple’s choice, especially of the woman whose body goes through pregnancy and birth.
Trigger Warning: Contains derogatory remarks about having a baby through surrogacy or any means other than giving birth through biological means, and may be triggering, especially to adoptive parents.
Recently Priyanka Chopra Jonas announced parenthood by surrogacy. This has once again sparked the debate about ethical surrogacy, which is a discussion for another day.
Sensory overload and a lack of routine during COVID-19 makes life an uncharted minefield for children with autism. Here's how 4 moms and a special needs educator feel their challenges can be handled.
Sensory overload and a lack of routine during COVID-19 makes life an uncharted minefield for children with autism. Here’s how 4 moms and a special needs educator feel their challenges can be handled.
While the Covid-19 pandemic has brought its set of challenges for everyone, things have been especially hard for children with autism and their families.
These past months have been an uphill climb for these children and their caregivers, thanks to the carefully planned routines that have been tossed out of the window and the overstimulation they face because of the increased hand washing and the need to wear masks. We spoke to a few families of children with autism and an educator on how they have been coping with this new normal.
A mother's account of how they had not realised that their son Mayur had autism and he had suffered as a consequence, but how they did everything they could for his better life once they knew.
A mother’s account of how they had not realised that their son Mayur had autism and he had suffered as a consequence, but how they did everything they could for his better life once they knew.
Author’s note: I have written this in the first person as narrated to me by Mayur’s mother, Mrs Dipti Gohain.
I would have never known the importance of him in my life, but we (me- Mrs Dipti Gohain and my husband-Mr Ananda Gohain) had lost our first child to a rare congenital heart disease when he was just 25 years old.