| Traditionally, special education is | | | | with teaching and evaluation alone, that too |
| much-neglected and not much thought of sector | | | | as per a standard format and definition, the |
| in India. In most cases, the responsibility | | | | special educators have several |
| of educating and nurturing the talents of a | | | | responsibilities. Teaching does form an |
| visually or mentally challenged child rests | | | | important part of the special educator's job. |
| solely upon the parents. This is unlike the | | | | In addition to teaching, the educator is |
| western countries where special education as | | | | involved in extra curricular, vocational and |
| a branch of study and career is given due | | | | sports-related activities. Many a time, |
| care and attention. Times are, however, | | | | children with special needs and parents also |
| changing in Indian scenario also. A number of | | | | look upon special educators as counselors. A |
| special schools and institutes have opened up | | | | large number of special educators possess |
| across the country and the best possible | | | | degrees in child psychology, counseling and |
| education is now available to disadvantaged | | | | social work. Often they are involved in |
| students. Professionally qualified special | | | | training parents and volunteers. |
| educators undertake this challenging task. A | | | | |
| large number of grants and subsidies are also | | | | Development of curriculum is also not |
| available to the sector. | | | | standardized as in regular schools. Hence, |
| | | | special educators are actively involved in |
| Areas of work | | | | developing and revising curriculum. Syllabus |
| | | | may be tailored to suit the needs of |
| Special education is a vast, varied and | | | | individual students in some cases. |
| specialized field. Educators generally choose | | | | Educational aids become crucial in special |
| to specialize in a specific area of work and | | | | education. The development, purchase and |
| gain further knowledge and experience in that | | | | review of such aids also fall within the |
| field. Options available for specialization | | | | duties of the educator. In short the role of |
| include: | | | | special educator is much larger and with |
| | | | greater responsibility than that of a |
| • Physically challenged students | | | | standard teacher. |
| | | | |
| • Mentally challenged students | | | | The Workplace |
| | | | |
| • Hearing impaired students | | | | Special educators work largely in educational |
| | | | or medical set-ups. Openings are available in |
| • Visually challenged students | | | | special schools run by various societies such |
| | | | as the Spastic Society of India or those run |
| Role of Special Educators | | | | by central government or various state |
| | | | governments, a large number of Non |
| One of the foremost requirements of a special | | | | Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating |
| educator in the field is to have infinite | | | | in the area, hospitals & clinics, |
| patience and ability to connect with children | | | | rehabilitation centers as also as private |
| of special needs. Unlike teachers in | | | | sector as teachers. |
| mainstream education who are largely involved | | | | |