Paying heed to the needs of ADHD children

Inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive are words often used to describe children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr Avinash Desousa, who has been working with a number of mainstream and special schools in Mumbai claims that today in a normal class of 60 students, two to four students are likely to have ADHD. 

“Students with this condition require behavioural and occupational therapy, and special educational help throughout their schooling years. These children also need frequent breaks with shorter activities and may have to be taught at a slower pace. Such provisions may not be possible in a conventional educational set-up,” says DeSousa.

Among the many schools for special children is the Gateway school in Mumbai, which stands apart in its approach towards children with attention needs. Accepting all children with learning difficulties, Gateway is a non-graded school following the Cambridge curriculum.

With a teacher-student ratio of 2:10, stude grouped together on the basis of age, i.e. 7-9 years in one class, 10-12 years in another class, and so on. The time duration spent on academics is cut down to three hours a day as they study subjects like Math, Science, and English. 

What’s surprising is, the teachers are not special educators, but are chosen on the basis of their interests and passion. “Some of our best teachers have come from corporate backgrounds,” says Siamack Zahedi, head of the School. The management and faculty are strictly against labelling any child as having a particular condition. 

Occupational, speech, and music therapy, art classes with regular art shows and outdoor activities are also organised. Once a student reaches the age of 16, he/she is encouraged to take up an internship. “Based on their interests they work in media firms, shops etc, where they learn life skills,” says Zahedi.