LEARNING DISABILITY

                                   

What is LEARNING DISABILITY? Today a lot of us face this problem without even understanding the dynamics behind this difficulty. Learning Disability refers to a number of disorders which affect the general growth and development of a child. It is a neurological disorder that alters brain functioning in a manner which affects one or more processes related to learning. It affects:-
• ORAL LANGUAGE for example, difficulty in speaking, listening and understanding
• READING for example, difficulty in word recognition, comprehension and phonetic knowledge
• WRITTEN KNOWLEDGE like, doing mistakes in spelling and written expressions.
• MATHEMATICS for example, difficulty in problem solving and computation

The major issue faced by a child suffering from learning disability is that they are not understood by their parents and teachers. They are often punished and accused of negligence by the elders. Since their basic needs of being loved, accepted and recognized are not met, such children deal with a lot of emotional complications and more often than not are confused and bewildered. They generally have low self esteem due to their limited experience of success and the low opinion expressed by parents, teachers and others around them.

PARENTAL TIPS
We as parents need to be strong pillars of support to our children and look for ways to help them. Our job as a parent is not to cure learning disability but to strengthen our child with social and emotional tools to work through challenges.
Some of the parental tips are :-
• Look at things in a broader perspective – Remember that everyone faces problems and obstacles. It is upto us as a parent to teach our child to deal with those problems without feeling discouraged. Don’t let the school stress distract you from what is really important, that is giving your child plenty of emotional and moral support.
• Be your own expert – Keep yourself updated and abreast of new researches, techniques and therapies in the field of learning disability and try to follow and implement them.
• Focus on your child’s strengths – Except for learning disability your child must be having several other gifts and talents. Praise them, encourage them and nurture the related activities where he/ she excels.
• Work with your child at home – Parents are child’s first and best teacher . Show your child that reading and writing are fun activities. Play word games, number games, point out words written on hoardings, score boards and billboards. This would make learning a fun filled activity for the child.
• Make a schedule – Make a schedule for your child as well as for yourself and follow your schedule religiously. Explain any change in the routine in advance and paste it where your child will always see it.
• Be an advocate for your child – You need to speak from time to time in support of your child. Be prepared by improving your communication skills and embrace your role as a protective parent.

TIPS FOR TEACHERS
• Teachers should try to learn as much as possible about the different types of learning disability.
• Review the student’s evaluation records to identify the specific problem and follow certain tips to handle them properly.
• Don’t give big task to be accomplished in one attempt, rather break the task in small steps.
• Give more time to finish the task without cribbing.
• Try to use diagrams, graphics and pictures to explain the concept as much as possible.
• Be more considerate and concerned with them.A

SELF MOTIVATION

There is nothing
Outside of yourself
That can ever enable you
To get better, stronger, richer
Quicker and smarter
Everything is within.
Seek nothing
Outside of yourself
-Miyamoto Musashi

The oxford dictionary describes motivation as “a reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way…”
A lot has been said and written about motivation. Motivation is no more associated with complexity of psychological studies, rather it has become a common word used often in order to encourage someone.
The shift of the usage of this term is appreciable. It shows how with time, people have developed a basic understanding of the human behaviour. A lot of this change has been possible because of technology and print media, which helps motivational speakers to reach out to a larger number of people and hence enhance our knowledge on the topic. Motivation is the fuel that is needed to keep our engines working.
However, I firmly believe that inspite of motivation being an important factor, we can achieve success only when we are self motivated.
Self motivation is the innate driving force that plays the most significant role in one’s life.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MOTIVATION AND SELF MOTIVATION
Motivation is like a spark. It is visible for few seconds which can encourage and inspire someone . this spark needs ignition to bring someone into action. Motivation is like fire , unless you keep adding fuel to it, it dies . MASLOW’S hierarchy of needs is a classical depiction of human motivation.

This theory is based on the assumption that there is a hierarchy of 5 needs with each individual. We start from the basic needs and try to achieve self fulfilment. The basic needs are same for everyone, be it a child or a grown up but as we move up the ladder, especially the 3rd,4th and 5th steps, the needs become specific, more so for grownups.
They strive to get recognition, approval, growth and achievement, which according to me, acts as self motivation. Actually every pattern of behaviour is a result of pain or gain. If the pain is greater than gain, it is deterrent to action. In case gain is greater than pain, it acts as a motivator. Children aged around 10 years can be motivated with tangible gains like chocolates, monetary gain, vacation or gifts but adults are satisfied with intangible gains only. When we work hard to achieve these intangible gains, we are self motivated. SELF MOTIVATION is the need of the hour. To accomplish anything, we need to believe in ourselves and feel motivated from within.

Recently I came across a wonderful story written by Shiv Khera on INTERNAL MOTIVATION.
There was a young boy who came regularly to soccer practice but never made it to the starting team. While he was practicing, his father would sit at the far end, waiting for him. The matches began and for four days, the boy didn’t come. He appeared for the final game, went to the coach and said, Sir, you always kept me in the reserves and never let me play, but today please let me play. The coach denied on ground of school’s reputation. The boy pleaded and promised that he will not let him down. Finally the coach allowed him to play. The game started and the boy played like a house on fire. Every time he got the ball, he shot a goal. Needless to say, he was the star of the game. His team had a spectacular win.
When the game finished, the coach went up to him and said,” how could I have been so wrong? I never saw you playing like this before. How did you play so well? The boy replied,” Coach, my father is watching me today.” The coach turned around and looked at the place where the boy’s father used to sit. There was no one sitting. The coach asked about his father. The boy replied, ”Coach, my father was blind. Just four days ago, he died. Today is the first day, He is watching me from above.
SELF MOTIVATION comes from within. It may be due to pride, a sense of achievement, responsibility and belief. To encourage someone to perform well in any competition, this self motivation is required. If the person is self motivated, no one can defeat him / her.

These are some points for students to learn the skill of self motivation so that they can feel motivated on their own –

REMEMBER GREAT MOMENTS –
Remember your own achievements and keep telling yourself each and every moment that if you could achieve that , why not this? Keep on repeating,” I can do this, I will do this.”

• DREAM BIG –
Always dream big. Unless and until you have some plan in your mind you can not run in the right direction to achieve it. Aim for a star and keep your sight high with a heart full of faith within.

• BE A MOTIVATOR –
As and when possible, motivate others. When we motivate others, we get self motivation and tend to be stronger, better and inspired.

• LOOKS MATTER –
Always dress smartly. Our looks add value to our personality. Our behaviour and attitude very much depends on our attire. Sitting in night suit gives you lethargic feeling same as smart tight fit clothes give you smart feeling.

• STUDY PEOPLE–
It is very important. Be in the habit of reading autobiographies and Biographies of great people. Pay attention towards their struggle and achievements. You will find yourself struggling and achieving new heights.

• CREATE HEADLINES –
Visualize yourself achieving success and your name highlighting in newspapers. Visualize your name in the newspaper everyday. This will give you strength to work hard.

• MAGICAL MORNING –
After getting up in the morning, spend atleast half an hour doing what you like the most, with energy and enthusiasm, be it reading the newspaper , going for walk, doing yoga, jogging or any other activity. This will fill you with zeal that would last throughout the day.

.
• FOCUS SYMBOLS –
Always keep symbols in your mind related with your dream. In case you want to be a doctor, keep stethoscope on or near your study table; in case you want to be a journalist, keep mike with you and put charts of these things in your room. These pictures will never allow you to forget your dream.

Self motivation, is thus the greatest tool that helps us achieve what we desire, to the best of our abilities. A person may face failures but if he is self motivated, he would ultimately get what he deserves. It is the fighting spirit in a person that controls the outcome of any difficult situation. Being self motivated keeps our flame glowing by the light of which we are guided to fulfil our dreams.

ORIENTATION PROGRAMME CUM WORKSHOP

ON

“IDENTIFY     YOUR    CHILD”

FOR

MOTHERS OF 5 YEARS TO 12 YEARS OLD CHILDREN .

 

Date	17th MAY,  2016
Venue	DELUXE  H I G – 1, BEEMA   KUNJ   COLONY, KOLAR   ROAD,  BHOPAL
Duration	2 Hours
Time	3pm to 5 pm

 

Children are the most precious gift of God.  Blessed are the parents who are bestowed with this present. We as parents must value this gift and do our best to nurture them. Our children are as tender and soft as clay and we need to be the potters who carve beautiful vessels of this clay, carefully and lovingly. With little care and attention we can see our children achieve what they desire.

All kids are blessed with wonderful qualities and there is a fire within them to prove themselves.

We need to give wings to our children to help them soar high in sky……

CONTENT OF THE PROGRAMME:

1. What kind of child you have?
   1. Visual
   2. Auditory
   3. Kinesthetic
2. Understanding the child’s problem
3. Knowing about-
   1. Dyslexia
   2. Dysgraphia
   3. Dyscalculia
   4. Learning Disability ( L D )
   5. Attention Deficit  Hyperactive  Disorder  (A D H D )
   6. Eating Disorder
4. How to  deal  with  problems

OBJECTIVE   OF   THE   WORKSHOP:

1. Helping mothers  to  identify  what  kind  of  child  they  have and  how  to  tackle
2. Guiding mothers to deal with specific problems efficiently.
3. Helping mothers in building strong bonding with their child.
4. Maintaining loving mom child relationship.
5. Using “play way” method to rectify their behaviour.

WHO    SHOULD   ATTEND?

1. Mothers of children from 5 years to 12 years.
2. Teachers who deal with various issues.
3. Psychology students who need to understand human behaviour.

 

TOTAL   SEATS –  25

LAST  DATE  OF  REGISTRATION –  16^th May, 2016

FOR REGISTRATION CONTACT –

JYOTI CHANDRA

CONTACT NO.  9425006452

E-MAIL – tabularasa.psychology@gmail.com                     

 

 

Stay alive…..We need you

Our life is a wonderful gift. It is the most precious thing. It is a blessing and we need to feel grateful for it.

Dear all,

Poor marks, spoiled paper,  poor result , in any particular paper or exam –

Is it a sufficient reason to take your life ? Most of the high profile people who are earning millions and spending their life lavishly were mediocres and even below average academically. Importance of Education can not be denied but at the same time there is a long list of incredibly successful people who were poorly educated.

Albert Einstein whose name equates to ‘ genius’ and who won a Nobel prize was in fact a high school dropout ; Mukesh Ambani,  the  Ninth richest man in the world according to Forbes magazine was dropped out of his MBA program; Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg spring to mind to add the list.

                                 

Bullying and peer pressure –

Do you think  this reason is larger than life? Do you need to surrender before bullying and peer pressure? Kate Winslet, one of the most beautiful and talented women in Hollywood was bullied and teased for being chubby ; President Bill Clinton, as a junior high schooler was bullied relentlessly  for being a fat band boy with bad taste of clothes.

Friend’s or lover’s indifference –

Not every successful person you see today has had a very happy past be it in terms of family problems or maybe their relationships. Everything that happens to us is a learning experience. An unsuccessful relationship is just a lesson  and one must gather all the sweet memories and march ahead gaining some of the best experiences and lessons.

 

Parents scolding – Children are not necessarily born knowing what actions are acceptable and which are not. They tend to try everything just to see what might happen. It’s the job of parents to prevent the most dangerous or negative actions in their children by teaching them. This is done by discouraging the negative behavior with critique and encouraging the positive with praise.

 

Are these reasons sufficient enough to take your life? Mind it, no problem is bigger than your life. Suicide is not a remedy. When people kill themselves, they think they are ending the pain, but all they do is just pass on the pain to those whom they leave behind, their parents, siblings, relatives and friends  who love them beyond measures .

Please, don’t do it…never ever think of taking your life. By doing this, you make your loved one’s lifeless. Is this your aim? Is this what you want? Is this for what you are meant? I am sure ..NOT. You don’t wish to make their lives pathetic and miserable.

Just think twice before harming yourself. Learn to face the problem. Believe me it is just a matter of handling the negative instinct wisely. This impulse provokes you to take extreme step. Don’t allow it to win and ruin you and your family.  Just kill this impulse rather than killing yourself.

Don’t let the negative thoughts bring you down.

Whenever you feel, something is bothering you –

1 .     Talk to someone who is very close to your heart immediately and speak about your plight.

2. Don’t sit alone. Come out from your loneliness and intermingle with people.

3. Whenever you feel like giving up, remember all those people and things who held you for so long and always stood by you and encouraged you.

4. Believe yourself, you are not alone and this is not the end of the story.

5. Get yourself professional help as soon as possible.

Believe me, running away from your problem is a race you will never win.

“Just turn the page of your life and start running to win.”

Loving your Teenage Daughter

 

My salute to all the proud mothers (I hope you are) of a teenage daughter. In present time, mothering an adolescent daughter is a big challenge. Mothers who deal this challenge successfully, one fine day find themselves on top of the world and find their daughters as blessing. On the other hand, mothers who find difficulty in dealing with their teenage daughter always see this as a challenge and never find themselves comfortable with their daughters.

This blog is meant to help all those mothers who have strenuous relations with their daughters as well as those who want to strengthen their bonding with their daughters. We talk about generation gap, modernization, influence of western culture, television, internet etc to pass the buck on others but whatever we say or do the fact is that we need to learn how to deal with our adolescent daughters in this changing scenario. Let us bridge this gap by keeping in mind few things —

1. Your daughter is a blessing to you and your family. Let her grow with her own choices of friends, dresses, books, sports etc. unless and until it becomes objectionable.
2. Never start your conversation with statements such as, “In my days……”. It gives abrupt end to the discussion and irritates them.
3. Try to keep yourself updated as much as you can. Please don’t restrict your upgradation to WhatsApp and Facebook.
4. Arrange get together for her friends in order to get to know her company rather than spying.
5. Never criticize her friends even if you find anything wrong. Just convey your disliking through your expressions, gesture and gentle words.
6. Teach your daughter to be herself by being yourself without any show off. Remember you have to be a role model for her.
7. Show your support and respect to things which matter to her.
8. Cold war is a complete no-no situation which should never be encouraged.

A bond of friendship with your teenage daughter will go a long way in strengthening your relationship.

About Tabularasa

Hello dear teachers, parents and children

Since long,  I have been pondering to do something creative in the field of psychological counseling and guidance, the zone in which I feel I am experienced and skilled. During my long tenure as a teacher and counselor, I came across variety of cases and observed keenly many facets of life. Every  encounter with a new problem enriched me as a counselor, giving new experiences.

With no set rule, no prescribed theory and no application of bookish knowledge the quest to reach a solution to every problem helped me mature as a counselor giving me greater insight in these matters. This blog is created to extend my cooperation and guidance to all those who are going through a tough time, be it a teacher, parent or students.

TABULARASA !!!!!!! The term literally means “erased slate” or wax tablet used in making notes. It refers to the idea that a child is born without any built in mental content and all knowledge comes through experience. Human mind at birth is a complete, but receptive blank slate upon which experience imprints knowledge. When a child is born, his mind is just a sheet of plain paper ready for writing upon. The human mind, especially at birth is viewed as having no innate ideas.

As philosophers have been arguing that babies are born with minds that are essentially blank slates since the days of Aristotle, it is accepted that a child’s mind can be shaped into whatever you desire by training. A child can achieve his dream of becoming a teacher, a doctor, a musician or whatever he wants by correct guidance and support. It is said that a child’s mind at the time of birth is just like potter’s clay. The beauty of the pot made by him depends on his skill, the time he gives and the art with which he moulds it.

It can thus be rightly said that we all are potters and we are blessed with soft magic clay. We have the skill to mould and shape the clay and feel its magic.

Our kids, with our guidance and help, can do wonders.

For more detail see my page on facebook—tabularasa.Psychological Counselling and Guidance

Email   tabularasa.counselling@gmail.com