Life after Certification

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Life after Certification

• Presenter Rukhshana Sholapurwala
• Chairperson Dr. Madhuri Kulkarni
• Ms. Kate Currawala
• Dr Mintu Sinha

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A Research-Based Profile of LD Students in Mumbai

• A Research Study sponsored by the
• LD Clinic of Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General
  Hospital,Mumbai
• Tata Interactive Systems
• November 29, 2008

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Background

• Inadequate research-based information about the
  state of LD testing, certification and
  remediation in Mumbai.
• Inadequate information about the broad profile of
  children with LD certified by the LTMG LD clinic.

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Aims of the Study

• To record and analyze views of LD-certified
  children about
• Identification
• Certification
• Post-Certification Remedial Education/Support
• Higher education

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Methodology

• A convenient sample of 361 LD-certified student
  were selected.
• Telephonic contact followed by personal/telephonic
  interview to record views on various issues
  using a structured questionnaire.
• Response data was analysed.

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Broad demographics of surveyed respondents

• 361 students interviewed
• From a total of 4300 Certified by LTMG LD Clinic
  since 1996
• Average age of respondent 16.3 /- 2.3 years
• 86 respondents still in school
• 55 respondents that opted for remedial education
  after LD Certification

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KEY FINDING 1Age Gender incidence in the study

• 12 Years /- 2.3 yrs
• no difference whether male or female
• i.e. detected in 6th or 7th standard
• Our sample shows a male female ratio of 7327
  or 2.71

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KEY FINDING 2It is primarily the class teacher
who suspects LD symptoms

• Is there a need to make parents aware and
  capable of suspecting LD symptoms at an early age?

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KEY FINDING 3Most students feel that the process
is neither complicated nor lengthy
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KEY FINDING 4Factors leading to perception of a
lengthy LD certification process

• of Respondents who said the LD Certification
  process lengthy cited these factors as reasons
• Appointments (21)
• Many Visits (15)
• Tests (31)
• Waiting in queues, other (33)

• Opportunity to streamline appointment visit
  scheduling.

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But these are the issues involved

• Eliminate eye ear testing
• Complete the certification process in 1 or 2
  sittings
• Explore consolidation of documents processing in
  a single location
• Eliminate the government certification process
  when certification has been done privately

• These tests are an essential part of the
  identification process
• For optimal response from the child too many
  tests can not administered together
• LD Clinic is a part of a bigger hospital
• Not possible at this stage

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KEY FINDING 5Once a student is certified there
is a lot of support from the certifying agency
and the school
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Summary - Detection of LD Certification
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KEY FINDING 6Almost half of all LD cases do not
opt for remedial education

• Causes Affordability? Availability of remedial
  education resources? Socio-cultural reasons? Lack
  of time? Only provisions seen as enough?
• Girls outnumber boys amongst those who opt for
  remedial education
• Are boys more sensitive to peer pressure?

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KEY FINDING 7Spelling, reading, grammar, memory,
maths and simplification techniques are the most
useful remedial techniques
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Missing/desirable improvements in Remedial
Interventions

• Key remedial interventions cited as
  missing/desirable improvements
• Personalised attention
• Longer teaching sessions and more remedial
  sessions
• More psychological/mental support or counselling

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KEY FINDING 8The family is a biggest source of
post-certification support and for remedial
education, and not schools

• Is there an opportunity to drive remedial
  education in schools to make it accessible to all
  students, not just those who can afford it?

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KEY FINDING 9Girls are more accepting and
supportive of others LD status

• Is there an opportunity to create more awareness
  around LD amongst school children?

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KEY FINDING 10Students feel confident after LD
Certification and remedial intervention
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Summary - Remedial Interventions
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KEY FINDING 11Most (89) students feel that
choosing a stream of higher education is a free
and easy choice for them
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KEY FINDING 12Most respondents comfortable
moving into higher education
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KEY FINDING 13LD certification posed no handicap
during college admission nor are there critical
challenges in college
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KEY FINDING 14Key challenges faced in college
education by LD students

• Incomplete work would lead to meetings with
  Principal
• Had to pass in each exam/subject Had to study
  subjects 'by heart'
• Do not feel comfortable doing easier subjects
  compared to other students. Do not get the same
  respect as other students.
• Teacher can be discouraging.
• Accounts number-related subjects were more
  difficult result in weaker performance
• College/school did not accept me easily had to
  change college/school
• Low awareness of dyslexia amongst my college
  peers they equate dyslexia with low IQ
• College/school not entirely supportive

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KEY FINDING 15LD benefits sought at the college
level colleges do extend LD benefits
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Summary - LD Higher Education
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Next Steps
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The End