Strides Newsletter Archives
- Counseling & Assessments
- Early Intervention
- Kaleidoscope Learning Center
- V-Excel Educational Trust
- Occupational Therapy
- V-Excel Remedial Center
- Satellite Centers
- Vocational Training / Youth Empowerment Services
Counseling & Assessments
From Parimal Pandit's Desk
The Counselling Department offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions brought in by its team members from their training in varied fields of specialisation, which they share with each other to enhance their learning and development. It is a vision of the H.O.D., Ms. Parimal Pandit that these therapeutic skills and knowledge reach a larger audience of professionals such as counsellors, therapists, teachers, special educators etc. who are engaged in working with different populations. One such initiative in this regard was the Expressive Arts Therapy Training Workshop that was conducted on 30th and 31st July, 2016. A group of 10 individuals from diverse backgrounds like teaching, Occupational Therapy, counselling, facilitating parenting, art and craft training for children with special needs etc, came together on the two days to experience the therapeutic function of expressive arts. The feedback from the participants reinforced for us the significance of our vision.
Below are some feedback from the participants:
"In these two days on Expressive Art Therapy, I have learnt a lot. I especially came here for an insight about the therapy and that really I found interesting. I would like to know more about the application side of it and if there is any other course or workshops conducted, it will be great if you keep informing about it. I'm even interested to intern here and gain more practical knowledge." - A psychology student
"The workshop was exciting and very interesting. I felt that from a personal perspective I learnt a lot about myself and have also learnt a few techniques which I can use during therapy sessions. Thank you for the lovely experience." - A counsellor.
"The workshop gave me new insights into learning about myself as well as expressing my thoughts in a group. It was good to feel supported and to also voice one's thoughts. Looking forward to more learning as this is just the beginning...." - A trainer in art and craft for children with special needs
Other regular work:
We conducted our first support group of the year 2016-17 for the parents of YES. 16 parents attended and during the group there was a fruitful discussion on what is needed for this group and what will be future plans for the support group
Two of our counsellors conducted a workshop on Behaviour management for parents of children from school under the Neev project. It was received very well and parents have asked for further help from counselling.
Our regular work with individual children and trainees in terms of art therapy, play therapy, communication continued from various departments like VRC, KLC, YES and VTU
We had groups of play therapy for KLC classes, Art and movement groups from YES which have different themes according to the needs has been going on with the children and trainees enthusiastically participating in it.
We had three counselling desk with our Corporate companies and the response as usual is overwhelming.
Inservice- We conducted an interesting inservice for teachers of KLC, where they have to look back upon their life and find an incidence or experience or a moment where they felt FREE ( not necessarily physically but an inner sense of freedom) , they shared that in a small group and how they felt at that moment whether they felt grounded or they felt the spirit completely in them and if they felt future oriented or past. Later on we discussed how to carry this moment of freedom within us when we are with children and what does it give us. The teachers really connected with the exercise.
We also had regular consultations for admissions or for remedial.
We have been meeting parents for counselling from KLC, VRC, YES and VTU Overall we must have met 12 parents individually for counselling. The teachers are met regularly from KLC for counselling inputs for personalas well as school related difficulties.
Grades Six and Seven have been studying "Sound" and "The Human Ear" and thus received several sessions of music therapy with Puja. In addition to music and singing, they also had a special group therapy sessions. They had to stamp, clap to a low drum beat and repeat a few syllables for a while and were led into relaxation and silence. The children reported that it was the best auditory integration they had received and the room was filled with silence and deep calmness that permeated the walls for the sessions afterwards too- even the most restless and screaming children held themselves well with a smile on their faces.
Grade Seven had an experience of "Veil Painting" which is a special painting technique used in therapy and did several therapeutic exercises with colour which they deeply appreciated.
Early Intervention
Managing over-stimulation and stress in children with Autism
Children in Early Intervention Unit are facilitated with calming inputs to help them overcomeanxiety and meltdown. These strategies can be used with children across any age group. Parents are also trained to identify and address the same.
Children with autism can frequently become over whelmed or over stimulated by situations beyond their control. As caregivers, teachers and therapist, we may not always know the cause of their discomfort. Therefore it is important to have a tool box of calming strategies to help children calm down, refocus and get back on task. Furthermore you can prepare for a potentially stressful event by allowing a child to choose a calming activity and use it before the event and to calm down afterwards.
Below is the list of calming techniques we can use with children with autism:
• Remember the rule of one – When the child is stressed, anxious or in the middle of meltdown, have only one person talk to the child and ask them to do only one thing.
• Deep breathing – Teach deep breathing and practice the technique often before stressful situations arise
• Isometric exercises
• Deep pressure
• Massage
• Provide a box of tactile items
• Create a calming area
• Communication
The Early Intervention Unit can give training to parent, caregiver / teacher who wishes to understand the above concept and implement the same in classroom, home or in other environment.
Kaleidoscope Learning Center
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
In our greatest attempts at spreading awareness on disability we have been supported completely by the students themselves , who have allowed us a peek into their lives, their sensitivities, thoughts and ideas with their own communication. In two such events this month the writing of our students have won accolades and its with great pride that in Strides this month these make our cover story!
Pranav Padmanabhan a student of Grade 7, met a stranger in a train that he was travelling in a few months ago. The stranger was fascinated on seeing Pranav communicate with his teacher using augmentative communication , this time a key board. He curiosity grew as he learnt that the boy had an opinion on everything around him, money, travel, friendships, love, independence , and abstractions like freedom. He requested him for an article which this month saw the light of day as it was published in Logical Indian an online magazine . It has been read widely.
Contributions by a number of our students were compiled and a beautiful PPT was made by the Institute of Speech and Hearing in Kerela. A poster exhibition was held highlighting the literary skills of our students. There were short stories, poetry, essays, and random jottings from 18 students all of which were chosen to represent the talent pool in our gifted children with autism.
The child study conducted this month was on Chinmayee and it was special because it was attended in turn by both his parents whose contributions to piecing the whole of Chinmayee together were really valuable. He was carried by the teachers for three weeks in their heart and it does not seem too improbable that we saw Chinmayee showing us more of his sensitive, independent, listening self in the last three weeks than he has been in the past couple of months. There was less than usual wandering and more than usual compliance.
We celebrated water day on the 15 of July and Ramzan on the 5 of July. Both the events were thoroughly enjoyed by the children and our gratitude to Zainabu a parent who told us the significance of Ramzan and distributed sweets among the children.
Sixteen of our students participated in an interschool sports meet on the 16 of July. The resilience shown by the students at such events become noteworthy as their stamina in participating in mainstream life events and meeting strangers does get a boost.
On 5 of July a formal graduation ceremony was held where many groups of children moved into the next higher class. Grades 1,2,5 and 6 moved up into 2, 3,6 and 7 grades. It was attended by a few parents.
Grade 6 and 7 students visited another special school Swabodini where two of our ex students are studying. It was a one of its kind meeting arranged by both the schools and their teachers who fascilitated this event. It was great to see the students bonding over a small music session and deep conversations being held through the eyes and small hand gestures. Both the schools communicated to each other that they were touched by this maiden attempt at socialising and would like the event repeated.
Serious work has been going on at all the vocational sites. Much learning has happened in the last two months and we do have a Karthik who can mix, shape, fry and serve a special 'vada', Gracia who has learnt to wring out her clothes after a wash, Divya who has learnt to use an iron herself , press and fold a cloth,Kailash and Chinmayee who have learnt to give a foot massage to their friends completely by themselves, Mukund who knows all the steps that go into making paper and Venkat who has learnt to use the xerox machine.
All of other programs with our partners have been going on smoothly and a great big thanks to Sukratam, Nizhal, Theosophical Society, Pudiadore, Creashakthi for providing spaces and opportunities for our children to practice their skills and talents.
Its been a serious, active, busy and fruitful month for KLC in July this year.
V-Excel Educational Trust
Printing and Documentation Initiative
We inaugurated our Printing and Documentation Initiative at our center in Mylapore on Monday 11th July 2016. This initiative has been made possible by Hexaware Technologies Ltd., as part of their CSR programs, and is aimed at enhancing V-Excel's vocational programs. The inauguration was held between 3.00 p.m. and 4.30 pm. Ms. Amberin Memon, Chief People Officer of Hexaware Technologies Limited presided.
Memorandum of Understanding with Annamalai University
V-Excel has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Annamalai University to offer distance education Diploma Programs in Inclusive Education, Vocational Training and a Post-graduate Diploma in Multiple Disabilities. The MoU was signed by Dr. Vasudha Prakash of V-Excel and Prof. Dr. S. Manian, Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University.
Neev Intervention Program
V-Excel has been working with Wipro Cares in implementing the Neev Intervention Program (NIP). This program is targeted at 2-10 year old children who come from underprivileged backgrounds, and are 'at risk’ or have developmental delays/disabilities. The goal of the NIP is to ensure that underprivileged families who have potentially ‘at-risk’ children in the 2-10 year age range receive resources and support to assist them in maximizing their child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
Vegam Special Olympics
Vegam is a dedicated sports event for differently-abled children started in 2011. This event has gained trust among the special and differently-abled school children across Chennai as they make use of this platform to compete in various Athletic events. This year on 16th July the 5th edition of Vegam was hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Periyampet, Chennai. Many of our children participated and four of them won medals - Ali Asgar (gold medal in 25 m running), Vasudevan Raja (bronze in 100 m running), Srinidhi Sekaran (silver in balloon burst) and Deepa Renganathan (gold in balloon burst).
Make a Difference to a Child Month
An interview with Mrs. Usha Rajagopal, the Program Director of our Vocational Training Unit, was featured on the "Pudhu Yugam" TV channel and was telecast on 5th July 2016.
Tarang in Chennai
This month's concert in our Tarang series featured a Bharatanatyam performance by Ms. Bhavana Sridhar and Ms. Alankritha Parthasarathy.
Talent Quest Venture
The Department of Neurodevelopmental Sciences, National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH) organized a one week talent exhibition called "Inspiration 2016” at NISH with the aim of creating awareness on the extraordinary potential of individuals with Autism. 16 of our students participated in this and each one of them received much appreciation with their poetry or art work. In their words, "We are indeed very glad to have had all of them in our Talent Quest venture, in which their valuable and mind blowing literary and artistic works were exhibited that won many accolades. We are pleased to honour their worthwhile efforts by sending their exhibited works to enable them gauge their own worth and value." Featured here is a short presentation of the participants compiled by NISH. Thank you for this opportunity!
The Logical Indian
Puja Bhalla writes ....
An article written by two of our students - Pranav and Sabari was published in the Logical Indian... Please do read, like, share, comment :) Link
This opportunity came when we were going on an overnight trip to Camphill and a journalist started talking to us on the train. Pranav on his own reached out to talk to him and he offered what Pranav wanted, he could write an article. The topic he gave was , what do you expect from the world... What can the world do for you... Pranav wrote, Sabari wrote and they put it together and out has come a little lecture series article... :)
Occupational Therapy
Happenings
In the month of July two children were referred by one of our parents who were been in V-Excel for a long time availing various services. Both of them are from US and are in India for a vacation. They have been given individual and group sessions after consultation. On the first day, the primary motive of their parents was to keep them in touch with therapy until they go back. So they requested for maximum possible sessions. After 3 weeks of Sensory Integration one of the parent got dilemma between going back home or to continue sessions for their child in V-Excel. His mother expressed that he won’t get this much development if he leave this wonderful opportunity. She was given an observation session to decide upon. Now with no doubt she prefers to settle in India for the sake of her son and especially to avail the services under V-Excel roof. He also goes for remedial services. That was a great compliment for the services provided!!!!!
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Kejal Bakshi's Desk
Group sessions for three children on spectrum began from this month. Social and communication skills are the main goals for the group sessions. Activities like circle time, free play, indoor games, traditional games are part of the sessions for their development.
NIOS training for tenth standard started from this month and we have two children. It is a full fledged program from nine thirty to two thirty in the afternoon with various co-curricular activities too.
Meetings with occupational therapist and counseling for respective children was held as part of the multi disciplinary approach towards a child's holistic development.
Under our NEEV project,
1. We completed assessments for Olcott Memorial School, Besant Nagar and have 30 children availing our services. As many children have emotional issues and becomes a hinder towards learning, counselor visits once a week to work with these children.
2. In Malathi Higher Secondary School, 36 children are availing our remedial and counseling services. We also did home visit, to understand the environment where the child comes from.
This month, we also had an in-service by Kejal Bakshi on observation and assessments for children with disabilities.
A 3-month weekend course by Mrs. Kejal Bakshi and Mrs. Rachana Saidam commenced on 16th July with 15 trainees.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath's Desk
YES unit::
Five students were given admission after conducting a detailed Vocational training assessment. For the trainees, the day begins with Physical activities- Yoga and gym activities are carried out on alternate days.. This is followed by functional academic classes. The Vocational activities such a making paper-bags, simple jewellery, tailoring, ironing clothes, gardening, basic computer and office skills, shopping and preparing simple snacks in the kitchen, have been introduced.
Special school and Remedial Center:
We have 50 students in the special school now. The implementation of IEP began from this month. Individual meeting with parents were conducted to ensure that they co-operate with us to help the teachers to successfully implement the program designed for their child.
The gardening activity for the children this year, commenced on July 1st, when on account of World Environment Day, a sapling planting program was carried out in the school. The children immensely enjoyed the feel of the soil and planted sapling in the garden area of the school.
A new teacher Ms. Natasha Godke joined as a teacher in the Early Intervention classroom, in the beginning of this month.
Four new children have joined the remedial and therapy center too. A 11 year old child Sahil Murkute, who used to attend our remedial program last year has taken admission in our special school. To facilitate him to attend our school, his family has moved from Dindori village to Nashik
Updates from Solapur:
On July 14, a Dindi program was done (Dindi is a famous program in Maharashtra where a group of devotees of Lord Vithal go to Lord Vithal Mandir while singing devotional songs ). Our center's students and staff went to the Vithal Mandir and one student was dressed as Lord Sri Vithal while another was dressed as Rukmini. Other students were dressed as traditional devotees.
On July 19, Gurpoornima was celebrated in our center. The Principal of Gnyan Prabhodini School and and four teachers of that school were our guests.
Two new students, Pratham Jadhav and Bhagawan Sidral, both with learning disability have joined us. Two other students, Shubham and Tanvi, have joined us to receive therapies.
Vocational Training / Youth Empowerment Services
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
This academic year in Sreyes is a little different from those of the past three years. We used to be a production unit. This year, with the introduction of new activities and a need for formal training in in them, the days are divided between functional academics and practical training. The teachers and trainees are enthusiastic about it and it's falling into place.
For the laundry activity, while one group has been training in hand washing of clothes, the other gets to iron clothes. The ultimate goal is to achieve ability to handle clothes that come into the laundry.
Cafe Samarth oriented academics take place in the mornings. The trainees are given real time identification of material used at the Cafe and their purpose so that they can put them to relevant use practically. They also learn hospitality etiquette.
Radha Naganathan comes thrice a week in the mornings to do functional academics. She revises what was done earlier by Uma and Piravi and gives practical money concept training to Samarth trainees.
Radhika, the counsellor, meets with two parents and three trainees each week. Revival of parent counselling seems to be very well received. We hope to keep it going consistently.
Margaret and Priya our regular volunteers are working on craft articles. They are doing quilling work and beaded jewellery with the trainees. Nandita and Yogeswari come in regularly to work with Margaret. Vijai Shravan from our YES centre has been coming to do craft work on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the afternoon.
Shanthi has been working on frame weaving with jute with 5 trainees. They have made small mats which can be used for sitting, placement or as door mats.
Other than this, orders for bean bags have been executed. An order for thambulam bags and bookmarks with quilling work for an engagement were done in good time.
The puppetry classes have become regular... on Mondays.
The person in charge of the German volunteers (to come), visited Sreyes to get an idea of the work happening there. Another visitor from Australia, came to see the group at work and was very impressed with the sincerity of the group towards their work.
An interview with Usha Rajagopal was telecast on the Pudiya Thalamurai channel on July 8. This covered work done in our institution.
Plans to introduce a hygiene product production is well underway. Plant visits have been made and the new vocational activity is very much in the offing. Exploring vendors for sanitary napkin making machine.. While the Baroda manufacturers are good, there is a preference to locating a local vendor for easy access in case of need.Hope to finalise one by the first week of August.
This month's Tarang featured a Bharathanatyam recital at Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan. The trainees enjoyed the recital of Bhavana and Alankrutha as well as the live orchestra on stage for the dance.
Cafe Samarth is on every weekend. We look forward more support and patronage from all. Please invite your friends and relatives and plan to hang out at the cafe on Fridays and Saturdays.
Youth Empowerment Services News - From Rama Nagarajan
we had an eventful month and hope to continue this in the following months also.
On July 6, we had a discussion with Mrs. Bala Swamy regarding Applied Behavioural Management which we recognize to be the need of the hour in YES.
On July 11 an informal inauguration of our Printing and Documentation initiative was held. Ms. Amberin Memon, Chief People Officer of Hexaware Technologies Ltd. presided. This initiative has been made possible by a generous corporate social responsibility grant from Hexaware Technologies Ltd. aimed at enhancing V-Excel's vocational programs. Trainees will be trained in several aspects of printing such as cutting, punching, spiral and wiro-binding, lamination ,shredding and tampography. The printing centre welcomes small orders from business in the area and looks forward to building community partnerships through this. Mr. Swaminathan of Devi Xerox will train us in using Adobe PageMaker, Adbobe PhotoShop, CorelDraw and MS PowerPoint.
On July 16, our trainees participated in VEGAM sports for special children and won 4 medals.
On July 20, 25 trainees with 8 teachers visited the 3D Arts exhibition at VGP amusement park.They understood the concept of 3D and it was a very good learning experience for them.
On July 30, 15 volunteers from Hexaware Technologies Ltd.visited YES. Dr.Vasudha Prakash gave an introductory speech about the vocational units in V-excel.The volunteers had an interactive session with the trainees.