The Bleak Reality of the Education System for ND Children in India

   Denied and Dismissed: Challenging India’s Education System for ND Students  

               “The world wants you to be typical. Don’t let it happen.”
— Jeff Bezos 

As parents of neurodiverse (ND) children, you are often pushed to conform—to follow a path paved with policies, school systems, and societal expectations that rarely have your child’s best interests at heart. But this is your reminder: You don’t have to accept it. 

In a world that is hell-bent on fitting children into neat boxes, it’s more important than ever to stand strong—for yourself and for your child. The journey is filled with obstacles, rejection, and moments of doubt, but your resilience can shape a future where your child’s individuality is celebrated, not sidelined.  

The Struggle for Inclusion:

Education Laws for Neurodiverse Children in India 

Let me state that I am not a person of the law. However, as a special educator with years of experience, I feel compelled to share the information I’ve found online about the education system in India, especially in regard to neurodiverse (ND) children. 

It’s hard for parents to navigate the confusing maze of laws, policies, and rights related to their child’s education, and schools are often unable—or unwilling—to supply the necessary details. In my own search for clarity, I had to rely heavily on what I could gather online because even the schools I approached found it difficult to provide a clear explanation of the laws they are meant to follow. 

The Limited Support for ND Children 

The reality is, the support available for parents of ND children in India is incredibly limited. It feels like yet another uphill battle in a society where there seems to be little room for neurodiverse children unless parents have the financial resources to pay for private services. And this isn’t just any money—it needs to be substantial, often requiring parental sacrifices like working long hours just to afford therapy, specialized schooling, or one-on-one care. But when parents are busy working to afford these expenses, they lose valuable time they could be spending with their children, thus deepening their dependence on external support systems. This is where the situation starts to feel like a battlefield—parents are fighting on multiple fronts: for their child’s rights, for adequate education, and for financial stability. It’s difficult to get schools in India to comply with the vague laws that supposedly exist to protect children with special needs, and in many cases, schools simply don’t feel accountable.

The Reality of the Education System: Loopholes and Corruption

Schools in India are bound by laws and regulations, including mandatory inspections and basic expectations from the education department. But it’s no secret that the system is deeply flawed. Many schools, particularly in regions like Karnataka, often find themselves caught in a cycle of survival within a corrupt system. The level of corruption is alarming, with some schools admitting to keeping individuals from the education department “on payroll” to protect themselves during inspections. In other words, bribery is used to cover up non-compliance or shortcomings, leaving neurodiverse children and their families even more vulnerable. The broader issue is a lack of belief in the importance of education itself, especially in places like Karnataka. For example, schools being shut down due to bad weather is common, and such instances send a message to children that education is not a priority. It makes me wonder what message this sends about the significance of regular schooling and, more importantly, the education of ND children. 

NEP 2020 and Other Educational Policies

Looking at the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and other existing laws related to education, it’s hard to feel optimistic. The NEP mentions inclusion and support for ND children, but it often falls short of addressing the real challenges on the ground. The policies feel detached from the realities of Indian classrooms, as they are drafted by individuals who have little experience working with children, let alone ND children. Some of the laws in place sound promising on paper, but when implemented, they don’t seem to make any tangible difference. Schools are either unaware of the intricacies of these policies, or they don’t care to follow them because there are few, if any, consequences for non-compliance.

The Laws That Are Supposed to Help: 

A Closer Look
Here are some key policies and laws designed to support ND children, but in practice, many parents find them ineffective:

 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE), 2009: While this act theoretically applies to all children, including those with special needs, the reality is that schools often find ways to deny admission to ND children. They claim they are “unequipped” to handle such cases, even though the law mandates inclusive education.

  The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016: This act stipulates that all children with disabilities have the right to education in an inclusive setting. However, enforcement is weak, and most mainstream schools are not equipped with the necessary resources or training to provide this.   National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP emphasizes the need for inclusivity and special education, stating that schools should ensure children with special needs are given equal opportunities. However, like many policies in India, implementation is inconsistent, and most schools continue to fall short of providing meaningful support.

 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): While this program focuses on early childhood education, it lacks proper emphasis on neurodiverse children. The intervention methods are outdated and insufficient for addressing the complexities of neurodiversity.

What Parents Can Do: Navigating the Broken System

For parents of ND children, navigating the education system in India often feels like an uphill battle. Despite policies that should guarantee support and inclusivity, the reality on the ground is often very different. Many parents face rejection from schools, discriminatory treatment, and financial burdens that are impossible to bear. It’s important to understand your rights, demand transparency, and push back when things aren’t right. 

Here are some hard facts and practical steps to help parents navigate this difficult landscape: 

 1. Demand Transparency from Schools:  

When applying for admission, insist on clear, written communication from the school about their policies for supporting ND children. This includes asking how they comply with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act (2016), and other laws designed to protect children with disabilities. 

           Reality Check: Many schools are reluctant to admit ND children. Even those that claim to offer inclusive education often refuse to take responsibility for providing necessary support. Instead, they demand extra fees for services like hiring a shadow teacher or additional staff, pushing the financial burden entirely onto parents.

 2. Prepare for Financial Burdens: Inclusive schools may offer admission, but the costs can be overwhelming. Apart from tuition, many schools demand parents pay for: 

A shadow teacher to assist the child in the classroom (which can cost as much as tuition fees, or more). 

Extra transportation fees for the shadow teacher. 

A maid or caregiver, especially if the child has mobility issues and requires help in the school premises. 

Schools often make it seem like they are doing parents a favor by admitting their ND child, but in reality, parents end up bearing the majority of the responsibility, including financial and emotional burdens. 

           Reality Check: The education system shifts the onus onto parents. Schools will often avoid investing in proper infrastructure or staff training, leaving parents to shoulder not only the extra costs but also the emotional toll of having to fight for basic accommodations for their child. 

3. Advocate for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

An IEP is a structured plan that outlines your child’s learning needs, the services they require, and how their progress will be measured. Although not mandatory in India, it’s worth advocating for something similar. This ensures the school is aware of your child’s unique needs and is accountable for providing appropriate support.

                   Reality Check: Most schools in India do not have standardized IEP systems. Parents need to be proactive, and in many cases, they will need to outline the necessary accommodations themselves, with minimal assistance from the school. 

4. Push Back on Discriminatory Practices 

If a school rejects your child or tries to impose unreasonable demands, such as extra fees for basic accommodations, don’t hesitate to push back. You have the right to challenge discriminatory practices. You can file formal complaints with local education authorities or advocacy groups.          

                   Reality Check: While you can take legal action or file complaints, the process is often slow and frustrating. Many parents report being treated badly by school administrators, including being bullied by school counselors or principals during parent-teacher meetings. ND children are sometimes labeled as “difficult,” “abnormal,” or worse, by school staff who are untrained in neurodiversity.

 5.Build a Trusted Support Network

While it may seem like joining advocacy groups is the go-to solution, it’s important to recognize that not all groups have your best interests at heart. Some may be driven by their own agendas, and in some cases, may switch allegiances to schools or authorities for personal gain or attention. Instead, focus on building a trusted personal support network—a group of individuals who understand your struggles and genuinely want to support your child’s development. This network could include other parents in similar situations, trusted educators, and professionals who are aligned with your goals. 

The key is to find people who are invested in your child’s progress, not just in their own power or influence. These connections can provide emotional strength, practical advice, and help you navigate the school system more effectively, without feeling like you’re fighting a losing battle on your own.

6. Be Prepared for Constant Pushback

Parents need to prepare for the harsh reality that even in inclusive schools, ND children are often treated as a “problem” that the school doesn’t want to deal with. During parent-teacher meetings, you may be met with hostility, where counselors or administrators bully you into accepting that your child is “too difficult” to manage. In these situations, schools might resort to calling children derogatory names or implying that they are not fit to be in a classroom. 

           Reality Check: Schools that are supposed to be inclusive can become hostile environments for both the child and the parents. The treatment parents receive during meetings often leaves them feeling powerless, but it’s important to document these experiences and escalate complaints to higher authorities when necessary.

Document Everything: Protect Yourself and Your Child
It’s vital to document every interaction you have with the school regarding your child’s education and well-being. When dealing with schools, always record conversations or video meetings—but ensure you inform them that you are doing so. This way, there is a record of how the school responds, making it difficult for anyone to mistreat or misrepresent the situation. If you receive incessant calls from teachers or school officials, log and record them, and don’t hesitate to escalate inappropriate behavior to higher authorities.

 As a parent, you must make yourself strong and balanced; believe that you are paying for a service that the school must provide. Demand and expect the support and accommodations your child needs—it will not be given without firm expectations in place. 

 I often visit schools on behalf of my students to ensure that the administration knows the parents have backup and are not isolated in their fight. Schools tend to take these situations more seriously when they know the parents are not alone.

It is painfully clear that India’s education system requires urgent reform—especially when it comes to supporting neurodiverse children. Parents should not have to fight so hard for their child’s basic rights. Schools must be held accountable to the laws designed to protect ND students, and the government must ensure that policies like the NEP 2020 are implemented meaningfully—not just written on paper, but practiced in the classrooms where they can truly benefit children. 

 Until real change happens, the fight continues. Stay strong, stay informed, and remember that you are not alone.

My next blog will focus on strategies to build on and ways to handle schools—so hang in there.