Children with special needs require extra care and support from both families and educational institutions to reach the milestones of comprehensive development. Stepping into the unfamiliar environs of a school can be daunting, and they may take comparatively more time to adjust to it. Rajesh Bhatia, the founder of the TreeHouse chain of schools, says it is important to pick a school that will make this transition easy and shares a checklist that can help in the search for an inclusive and safe learning space for a special child.
Adequate resources and support servicesA school that does not have supportive academic and infrastructural resources for special kids, is not the right choice and will not be able to help a special child adapt to the new environment. Parents should also enquire if the school has an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) and if teachers are equipped to provide the right guidance to a special child through various stages of development. Well-equipped resource rooms, in-house physical therapists or at least a provision for visiting professionals, trained counsellors, safe classrooms, and versatile learning aids are essential too.
Well-maintained infrastructure Well-maintained infrastructure and security arrangements are very important for the safety of a special child. Inclusive schools tend to have easily accessible restrooms and ramps to ensure that special children do not face mobility issues. Check if the play areas support sensory activities for visually or hearing-impaired students. Tactile objects, interactive games conducted by a trained staff member, and additions like wind chimes make special children feel included during playtime.
Accommodative assessment policiesChildren with special needs may not be able to compete with mainstream students in academics and may need some extra time and assistance while appearing for exams. Parents should check if the school is willing to provide writing assistants or extra time to special students during exam time and if their assessment policies are accommodating to students with different learning curves. Check if the school authorities are flexible about providing smaller units to study and are willing to allow special kids to use calculators or slant boards during exams.
Inclusivity and empathyParents need to analyse the approach of school management and staff towards special children and determine if they are prepared to respect and accommodate a differently abled child’s unique physical, emotional, academic, and social needs. Do they have a personalised pedagogical approach for specially-abled children? And well-qualified and empathetic teachers who are approachable and easily accessible? Only if a school has a conducive environment where a student can excel academically despite his/her disability, can it qualify as a good choice. And it must also have a healthy teacher-student ratio.
Nutrition and medical facilitiesDoes the school provide nutritious food? A provision for a quiet meal time for special children? And attendants on hand to help with the feeding if the need arises? Don’t forget to also check how nutritious the food being served to children is and how hygienically it is cooked. Can the school offer a tailored dietary plan for special kids? Also, ask if a school has a doctor or a nurse on a full-time basis to provide help during medical emergencies. Putting your child in a mainstream school may seem overwhelmingly challenging, but many schools are offering an inclusive learning environment today for children with different needs and learning capacities and it is just a matter of finding the right fit for your child.
