When a child needs extra support, parents often meet a long list of professionals and are not sure who does what. This guide explains the main roles in plain language. The details of who is available differ by city and by school.
The main roles
- Special educator. A teacher trained to teach children with disabilities and learning differences. They adapt teaching, help to prepare the IEP, and work with class teachers. See What Is an IEP?
- Speech and language therapist (speech-language pathologist). Tests children for language delays and communication problems and helps with communication skills. See speech and language delay.
- Audiologist. Checks hearing. In India, audiologists and speech therapists are registered together.
- Occupational therapist. Focuses on fine motor skills, visual-motor skills and sensory processing, and helps a child to become independent in daily activities.
- Physiotherapist. Works on motor (physical movement) skills and mobility.
- Psychologist. Trained in psychology and education. A psychologist assesses how a child learns and thinks, and can support emotions and behaviour. In Delhi’s assessment camps for specific learning disabilities, clinical or rehabilitation psychologists were part of the team. See getting a learning assessment in India.
- Paediatrician or psychiatrist. A doctor who checks your child’s health and development, and often gives an initial medical assessment. In Delhi’s assessment camps for specific learning disabilities, a paediatrician or psychiatrist did the first assessment.
An assessment for a learning difficulty is usually done by a team, which may include a psychologist, a special education expert and a speech-language pathologist.
Registration: the Rehabilitation Council of India
The Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) is a statutory body set up by the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992. It keeps the Central Rehabilitation Register. The professionals the Act covers include audiologists and speech therapists, clinical psychologists, and special teachers for educating and training persons with disabilities. Section 13(2) of the Act says that, apart from limited exceptions such as certain doctors working in government hospitals, only people who have a recognised qualification and are enrolled on the Register may practise as rehabilitation professionals in India. Practising without being registered is an offence under the Act.
So it is reasonable to ask any professional for their qualifications and their registration details. This applies to everyone: ask what their training is, and whether they are registered with the body that covers their profession.
Working well with specialists
- Ask for the goal. What is this therapy trying to achieve, and how will you both know?
- Ask how often and for how long, and what you should do at home.
- Share information. Give each professional the other reports, and ask them to share their recommendations with the school. Reports can go into the IEP. See how to read your child’s assessment report.
- Ask for plain language, and for the report in writing.
- Be careful with anyone who guarantees results.
- Keep a folder of reports, certificates and receipts. See the disability certificate and UDID card.
Sources
- Government of India, The Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992; Rehabilitation Council of India, registration in the Central Rehabilitation Register.
- Understood, Specialists who work with kids with learning and thinking differences.
- Understood, Who’s on the evaluation team at your child’s school.
- US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, How are learning disabilities diagnosed?
- Directorate of Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, Guidelines for assessment camps for children with specific learning disabilities (2021).
This guide is general information, not legal, medical or professional advice. If something here does not match your situation, please speak to a qualified professional.