Perspectives on Learning Disabilities in India: Current Practices and Prospects

Learning disabilities (LDs) remain one of the least understood and most debated disabling conditions that affect children. Perspective on Learning Disabilities in India: Current Practices and Prospects showcases how researchers and practitioners in the country have evolved strategies to resolve the fundamental questions related to LDs, while focusing on marginalized and disadvantaged groups. It not only highlights the basic issues and controversies in this field but also presents innovative, theory-driven approaches to the assessment and remediation of LDs. It also emphasizes the role of teachers—a useful resource in the absence of trained professionals—in the identification of LDs in children. The book offers a rich overview of ways to proceed in case of LDs, thus making it a must-read for researchers, experts, and professionals associated with this field. The expert contributors to this volume provide heuristic insights that can facilitate the formulation of a research agenda and services for people with LDs in India, where research and practice in the field is still at a nascent stage.

Table of Contents:
Foreword J P DAS Preface Learning Disabilities: Issues and Concerns - Komilla Thapa Young At-risk Children: An Educational Challenge or a Clinical Group Only? - Geerdina M van der Aalsvoort Learning Disability and Language Learning - Pratibha Karanth Developmental Dyslexia: Evidence From Hindi-speaking Children with Dyslexia - Ashum Gupta The Marginalised Dalits: Disadvantages in Learning - Janak Pandey and S. K. Pant Learning Disability: Challenges in Diagnosis and Assessment - Preeti Verma Profiles of Academic Skill Deficits in the Indian Schools - Malavika Kapur Teacher Identification of Learning Problems: Comparisons with Other Measures - Rajani M. Konantambigi and Mamatha Shetty Teachers′ Perception of Learning-related Problems in School-going Children: A Preliminary Report - Nishi Tripathi and Bhoomika R. Kar A Base-Line Study of Learning Disabilities: Its Prevalence, Teacher Awareness and Classroom Practices - Dhananjai Yadav and Vidya Agarwal A Theory-driven Approach to the Diagnosis and Remediation of Learning Problems in Children: CAS and PREP - Sunita Pagedar and Jagruti Sarnath Saffolding To Learn: An Attempt - Dharmishta H Mehta Detailed Assessment of Specific Learning Disability and Intervention in School Children - Monica Mongia, Raja Sadhu, and Manju Mehta Identifying Issues and Looking Ahead - Geerdina M van der Aalsvoort Index

About the Author :
Komilla Thapa is Professor at the Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad. She trained as a clinical psychologist at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore. Her interests lie in mental health issues and childhood disorders. Janak Pandey is Professor, Department of Psychology and Coordinator for the Centre of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences, University of Allahabad. He has headed various national and international associations of psychology and has received several awards and encomiums in his distinguished career. He has written extensively and has edited several prestigious volumes.

Review :
The book will be a good resource in programmes of teaching and disability studies and may find space with the regular academic curricula. The book offers a rich overview of ways to proceed in case of learning disabilities, thus making it a must read for researchers, experts and professionals associated in this field. The expert contributions to this volume provide insights that can facilitate the formulation of a research agenda and services for people with learning disabilities in India. Another important feature…is that it emphasises the role of teachers in identification of learning disabilities in children.