Speech problem

My five-year-old son, otherwise intelligent, doesn’t speak like other children of his age. He makes a lot of irrelevant sounds while talking. Does he have a speech disorder?

Your son is suffering from either autism or a communication disorder. Contact an ENT specialist to rule out the possibility of hearing impairment. Then consult a psychologist to find out if the child is autistic. Special training, speech therapy and some behaviour modification techniques are helpful in autism.

Weak in math

My 12-year-old son is good in all subjects except math. All my attempts to make him fare well have been in vain. Please help.

You have not mentioned your son’s IQ quotient. If he has a normal intelligence level and is still unable to do well in math, he could be suffering from dyscalculia (disorder related to the learning of mathematics). This can be rectified by remedial method of teaching in that subject with the help of a special educator.

Disobedient kid

My son is in first standard. His teachers complain that he is very mischievous, inattentive, disturbs others, and has inadequate peer group interaction and a tendency to wander. What is wrong?

You have not said anything about his birth history or any other complications. I think the child is suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. He needs a structured routine and behaviour modification programme. He should be given attention-enhancing tasks and may need the help of a special educator. But first get your child assessed by a psychologist.

Of development

My three-year-old daughter shows delayed development. Can I send her to a normal school?

You have not said anything about the condition of your child — whether she can walk or talk or if she has any other problem. If she has delayed development, she might have problems in a normal school, later if not now. At present, you may send her to any play school to get her used to going to school. She will also get a chance to interact with other children and this will help her develop social skills.

To marry or...

My 26-year-old brother is mentally challenged. Can any drug cure him permanently? We are seriously thinking about getting him married. Is this logical?

Mental retardation is an irreversible condition. Till date, there has been no medication to cure it. Various training programmes like special schooling, speech therapy, occupational therapy and multi sensory programmes with many more therapeutic interventions can improve the quality of life of such persons. Most parents or guardians think of marriage as a solution, but marriage involves a lot of adjustment and the ability to carry out day-to-day responsibilities, bear and rear children and plan for the future. How far a mentally retarded person can carry out these should be seriously considered.

Special school

My daughter has Down’s syndrome. But whenever I think of putting her in a special school, I feel very upset. How can I make up my mind?

You have wrong notions about special schools. Your daughter will have better development in such a school as they have smaller-sized classes, trained teachers who use special learning materials and equipment, reduced academic pressure, congenial environment, and provide social and vocational skills. Moreover, as the child has special needs, she may develop psychological problems in a normal school.