VCDC has embarked on a mission to render its services on two learning disorders — Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Dyslexia. The centre aims at an early identification of the traits in both disorders at home and school.

According to VCDC officials, the awareness level about ADD and dyslexia has increased in teachers and parents of late, and now they should be given assistance in identifying the symptoms of these disorders. While a dyslexic child is slow in academic learning, a child suffering from ADD is more impulsive and finds it tough to pay attention in class, said Jyoti Parikh, retired M S University professor, who heads VCDC.

She said over 50 people, mostly teachers, were taught recently at a workshop about different ways of identifying an ADD and dyslexic child by preparing a checklist. Parikh, who has been working for the ADD and dyslexic patients for the last 25 years in the city, added, “It is very important to identify ADD and dyslexic patients at an early stage to prevent it from being chronic. Moreover, it is parents and teachers who can really identify the apparent traits and take remedial measures as soon as possible.”

Pointing out that ADD children are impulsive, she said it doesn't imply that they are mentally retarded and it was therefore important to know about their behavioural tendencies.

She enumerated some important points in the checklist, “It is important to note whether the child has a habit of forgetting frequently or if he forgets to do his/her homework. Sometimes, a dyslexic child is inattentive or restless in the classroom and blurts out an answer before the question is asked.”