A recent study has found that almost 24 per cent of children in the city can be categorised as delayed learners, that is, students who exhibit a below average Intelligence Quotient (between 20 and 89). Of the 300 children aged between 1 and 6, surveyed by the Indian National Portage Association (INPA) in nine anganwadis, 74 were classified as ‘delayed learners’. Similar figures have earlier been presented by the World Health Organisation as well.

INPA Director Dr Tehal Kohli, who headed the project, said: “It is important that all parents subject their child to a psychometric test. The earlier a mental disability is diagnosed, the easier it is to cure it.”

Explaining the difference between dyslexia and delayed learning, Dr Kohli said: “A dyslexic child suffers a learning disorder and may possess an IQ of 140. Dyslexics are also slow learners but their difficulties arise due to neurological and environmental problems. On the other hand, delayed learners have a low IQ and almost three per cent of such children are mentally challenged.”

She added: “Dyslexic children should be encouraged to join the mainstream; Bill Gates and Albert Einstein were dyslexics. For delayed learners, however, this can be difficult and parents need to undergo counselling themselves so that they can learn to deal with special children.”

Dr Kohli is actively involved in training mentally challenged children and has also be conferred with the National Award for the Best Resource Person for the Mentally Challenged by the Chandigarh Administration.

“After training, all children show considerable improvement in functioning. In case a child is unable is fare better, the blame should be laid at the door of the expert and not the child.”