The Hindu : States / Other States : Alva: create awareness of dyspraxia

14/11/12 6:44 AM

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Published: November 14, 2012 01:02 IST | Updated: November 14, 2012 01:02 IST

Alva: create awareness of dyspraxia

Special Correspondent

Margaret Alva

Its imperative to take care of special needs of children, says Governor

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva has called upon teachers and parents to take care of special needs of children and
secure their mental, emotional and physical well-being.
She was receiving the first copy of a poster on dyspraxia affecting disorganised children here on Sunday.

Changes in behaviour
Paediatrician Vivek Sharma said about 15 per cent of schoolchildren suffered from dyspraxia and faced subtle changes
in behaviour and manoeuvres, especially in playground activities of jumping, catching a ball, hopping and skipping.
They also face difficulties in tying shoelaces and doing up buttons, drawing and using scissors and could learn only
through one-to-one guidance, said Dr. Sharma.
Ms. Alva said the poster would meet the long-felt need for generating awareness of dyspraxia among parents and
teachers.
The poster, titled Dyspraxia explored: Recognise the disorganised child, would go a long way in eradicating myths
about the disorder, said Dr. Sharma.
It would be distributed among school counsellors, disability centres and health institutions.
The poster was being translated in Arabic and Deutsche for being circulated in West Asian countries and Denmark.
The paediatrician, who had conducted several workshops on the subject in schools and disability institutes, said the
disorder could be mitigated by simple measures such as allowing extra time during teaching, praising the childs small
accomplishments, teaching on one-to-one level and refraining from comparing a dyspraxic with an able child.
At home, parents could make an early identification of the disorder with the help of a child specialist and provide
treatment through the therapy provided by occupational, speech and language therapists, said Dr. Sharma. Famous
actor Daniel Radcliff, who played Harry Potter in the film, suffered from mild dyspraxia and still had trouble tying his
shoelaces sometimes, the paediatrician said.
Keywords: Margaret Alva, Rajasthan Governor, dyspraxia, children with special needs
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