Listen and observe your children, to make a difference

Working with client and having been part of helping process is internalizing experience to me. After around forty five minute session with my client, I sit back and take note and start planning and brainstorm. I could clearly recall the day, I received the call during the working hour and the very enthusiastic father called for appointment. He shared about the problem her daughter is having. 

 

We met on the day appropriate for both. She came along with her father. As I request she had brought her worksheets and progress report along with her.  Her father explained me how she has been failing to keep up with their academic performance since long. She has been progressed subsequent standards with the hope she will “pass” in near future.  Upon observation and discussion with her, I came to understanding that she has not been able to meet average grade of education system within her school. She has been struggling to keep up with her academic performance since long time.

 

Polite and open to share, kind the person that she is, share how she had been having her lunch along and go and come back from school alone. Not that she don’t take initiative but none of her classmates talk to her properly. What she says turned into mere jokes for others. She is aware of this and has been suffering from bulling. How she has been managing her daily life, may have remained hidden from all and concern other may have not noticed it.

 

From what I see, she often get grade “-c” in social interaction in progress report and have no friend to go around with or share notes with. She is in her teen and so eager to be friend with others. She is willing and is working hard, as all she wants is to at least pass her exams.

 

She is spontaneous to express her talent. She sang a song she performed in school function. She is aware that certain subjects are too difficult for her to understand and have no clue how to improve in these. It’s difficult for her to solve logical mathematical problems.  She have problem relate to formulas and theories and solve problem using it. Rather she likes free expression and subjects where she gets to be creative. She did well in social project work. Where the students had to go for field work and interact with other and present it later.

 

After the session, she waved good bye and her father followed her down stairs. I just turned and he came in rust and asked me “Is she retarded, can she do anything now?” The need of formal test and other diagnosis was yet to assess.

 

At around the end of the session after sharing and discussion on kind of help she needs, parent’s role and other referral needed, the session concluded. Conclusion that is important here in our society at large is not only limited to being aware of what mental retardation, learning problem, diagnosis and what facilities are available. It is also about acceptance and role of concern people in helping process to make a difference in whole process upon need.

 

Yes it is difficult at times to accept, but the ways the parents observe and understand their children do make the difference no matter what is the nature of the problem and there are no of ways to support them. Some children may need special help and/ or guidance. Your support and presence could make huge difference. Be part of your children growth and development, upon need let’s seek for help.