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A person with a learning disability is usually described as one who has average to above average intelligence, but has difficulty coping with schoolwork due to differences in the way he or she processes information, particularly through visual or auditory perception.

 The difficulties are NOT primarily due to visual, hearing, or motor disabilities or due to intellectual impairment, emotional disturbances, or economic disadvantages. A learning disability interferes with a person’s ability to store, process or produce information.

As a result, a learning disability can affect a child’s ability to read, write, spell, speak, compute numbers or reason effectively. A learning disability can also affect a child’s attention, memory, coordination, social skills and emotional maturity.

Common learning disabilities include:
   Dyslexia, a language-based disability in which a child has trouble with specific language skills, particularly reading and spelling.
   Dyscalculia, a mathematical disability in which a child has difficulty solving arithmetic problems and grasping maths concepts.
   Dysgraphia, a writing disability in which a child finds it hard to form letters, write within a defined space, and express ideas in writing. These children may gain skills in some areas quickly and demonstrate a high-level ability (for example, in speaking), but have significant difficulties in reading or writing which are not typical of their general level of performance. Students with dyslexia or dysgraphia undergo much hardship within normal schools. A lack of awareness on the part of classroom teachers and administrators, large class sizes, and a lack of understanding amongst peers and family members combine to make it extremely difficult for a learning-disabled student to function within a mainstream classroom. In addition, constant failure results in very low self-esteem and long-term difficulties in coping with the challenges of life.

A severe learning disorder is Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors mainly. Causes autism, can differ greatly, but mostly the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) speak that it possible outcome from irregularity in the mind caused by substance and bodily abnormality. Autism also tend to run in people genetically, so there is consideration to be a family link or a chromosomal abnormality that might be a cause.

 A child with the mildest forms of autism are often barely distinguishable from children not on the autism spectrum, and are frequently able to function in a mainstream classroom with minimal support. On the other end of the spectrum, a child may display severe physical and cognitive disabilities. Approximately a third of cases will have at least one epileptic fit before adulthood.

 Planning Education for students with autism often addresses a wide range of skill development, including academics, communication and language skills, social skills, self-help skills, behavioral issues, self-advocacy and leisure skills. It’s important to consult with professionals trained specifically in autism to help a child benefit from his/her school program. Obtaining a range of opinions is also useful.Just as there are various treatment approaches, there are multiple educational programs that provide stimulating learning environments for school-aged children with autism.

Chitra Lane School through 43 years of nurturing children with special needs in healthcare, began with a single step in 1967, when three caring volunteers took into their hearts to nurture two intellectually impaired children.  In the 1960’s, when the rest of the world was forging ahead with programmes and research regarding individuals with intellectual impairment, there was very little hope for a family with a special child in Sri Lanka.   This is when the Chitra Lane School for the Special Child first opened in a single room, down Lauries road in Colombo 4.

With families continuing to arrive at the schools doorstep seeking for help, it was decided to expand their services and create a Resource Center that would conduct home based programmes and provide facilities to meet every aspect of the child including their physical, psychological, and educational development as well as addressing their medical needs.  Years of experience had taught Chitrane School that detecting difficulties and developmental delays early on in a child’s life and providing the necessary help during early childhood, made a significant difference in minimizing the adverse effects of these difficulties.

With this goal of `early detection and early intervention’ in mind, in 1989 the Chitra Lane Children’s Resource Centre was established adjacent to the Chitra Lane School.  Today, this Resource Centre is well recognized as a centre of excellence to which schools, hospitals, and doctors from across Sri Lanka refer children to for evaluations and follow-up therapy.  Families come to us from in and around the Island nation Sri Lanka.

The Chitra Lane organization is a large family of caring volunteers, teachers, therapists,  and doctors who have come together to create a better world for children and young adults with special needs in Sri Lanka. Over 85% of the children and young adults that benefit from theirr programmes are from low-income families. These families have very little to get by with in their daily lives and having to cope with a child who is intellectually impaired seems almost an impossibility.  For most, there are no choices in life.

Through the support of well wishers, we are able to provide these children with the necessary care and hope for a better tomorrow.


How  can  You  help ?

Donate to Children Charity School  
 
Chitra Lane School for the Special Child is a government approved charity and relies heavily on the financial support that is provided by way of donations, direct child sponsorship, or the sponsorship of a teacher's salary.  Join hands with us on this noble journey of caring for children with special needs in Sri Lanka.

Your kind support will help them provide a child with the much needed intervention therapy such as physiotherapy and speech therapy, monitor the child's health, provide a mid-day meal and a cup of milk, special seating or a walker for a child with cerebral palsy and other mobility disabilities or a much needed hearing aid, educational equipment that enhances a child's learning.