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
Sparsh
Sparsh, V-Excel's Counselling and Assessment unit started a center in partnership with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan this month. Its a center for counselling and parent resource where workshops will be conducted for parents and others on various topics. The speciality is that it will offer free services for Geriatric population. The inauguration was a simple pooja where Mr. L. Sabharatnam, Mr. K.N. Ramaswamy, Mr. S.S. Rajsekar were present along with V-Excel Trustees. The first talk was on Bach Flower Therapy. Remedy and counselling has started with two counsellors.
We started our counselling desk with another corporate last month and we had our second desk this month with a good response. We had two counselling desks with our existing corporates this month. We had about 11 consultations this month. The number has decreased this month due to exams and other festivals which were being celebrated. We had three new people for counselling this month and the rest were follow ups.
With KLC
We continued to have our individual and group play therapies. Three new children from KLC started individual play therapy. Its been seen that for some the space provided in the individual therapies really works therapeutically to overcome their fears, anger, sensory issues to a lot more extent.
Art, communication and music therapy continued for some individually for some in groups for ten children. Art therapy for 3 children and communication with many as and when they want to express. Sometimes they write songs, sometimes talk about their anxieties and pain and sometimes give us directions. This space is a sacred space for the students to be and it opens up many doors for us to look into what ails the child, family and sometimes a great deal of talent is seen.
All the teachers of all the grades were met by our curriculum guide Puja , most of the teachers were met for counselling by our counsellors and psychologists Sarmishta, Greeshma and Parimal. All of us attended the inservice by Dr. John Miller on handling behavioural and physical issues. It was very insightful and could get small effective tips to address sensory issues, medical issues and behavioural issues.
Some of the parents were met concerning their children so as to guide them for managing children at home and to understand what are the difficulties of the parents
With YES
Individual sessions of counselling with trainees for art and expression through talking continued. These sessions are very important for the older trainees who have many questions about themselves as they are adults. They go through same biographical crisis as any other adults will go through and the other issues of sensory needs, digestion and coordination complicate the matters further. Like any other adult where they feel stressed and it reflects in aggression, obsessions, and other unwanted behaviour. These individual therapies are essential part of the program even more so for vocational training as otherwise they don't get the arts and music. These are therapeutic necessities of the program like OT which the special population will need on and off throughout.
Group therapies are enjoyed by all the trainees. Movement, drama, singing and art are part of the activities involved in the group work. We had a case study of one of the trainees where are the therapeutic heads were present. This multidisciplinary case discussion is a new initiative by V-excel so that difficult cases could be addressed by the team.
The Production group at Sreyes
Two counsellors continued their individual and group therapies in the production center. Trainees are able to work with the individual space provided on their personal issues. For non verbal children art is used.
We revived our parent support group this month which was facilitated by one of the counsellors. A Support Group Session was held at Sharada for the parents of Trainees at Sreyas on 6.9.2016. Eight parents attended the group meeting which lasted about two hours. We started with a relaxation exercise (JPMR) with a small briefing from the Group therapist about tuning into the messages our body is sending us constantly, listening to those messages and caring for one's body and emotions.Next the therapist gave a small briefing on what this support group aims to do and some rules on confidentiality, talking for oneself etc. Then the members were divided into two groups with a request to get to know each other. The interesting feedback for this exercise was that some of the mothers said they were introducing themselves by their names for the first time in such a group, instead of so and so's mother. Also one mother remarked that this was the first time she was thinking and talking about herself in terms of her interests, hobbies, strengths and so on. The members thanked for such an opportunity to get to know each one better and also talk about themselves in a supportive atmosphere. Parents of one trainees were met and three teachers were met for counselling.
VRC
We have individual therapies with 5 children from VRC . It helps them to cope up with learning issues or adjustment issues in the inclusive schools. The play and art therapy works wonders in their self esteem and feeling life which enhances and supports academic growth.
The Neev project under VRC is going on well where therapies are concerned. A parent is met from one of the schools. The children are seen for play and art therapy by two counsellors in two schools.
We streamlined the Pudiyadore children with their play and remedial sessions. One will get an individual play therapy the others a group play therapy facilitated by a psychologist in VRC itself.
General
Three of the counsellors attended the monthly Tarang where an Orchestra was arranged everybody enjoyed watching children really having fun. Wishing everybody a blessed Navarathri. May the light forces of Durga bring courage love and compassion and help us overcome the darkness within and outside.
Early Intervention
Analysis of Behaviour
The behaviour we observe in children and young adults like screaming, rocking, hitting and meltdown have a whole bunch of underlying causative factors. Therefore while analyzing behaviour we have to consider both the visible behaviour and what could be submerged. Analysis of common behaviour pattern.
Behaviour | Visible | Submerged |
Poor food habits | Eats certain type of food Does not know how much to eat Avoids / Vomits certain type of food Chews inedible things like pebble, leaves, plastic pieces |
Poor taste perception Hypo / Hyper in oral motor sensation |
Difficulty in falling asleep Does not stay asleep Sleep cycles different from family members |
Child's rhythm is upset Hyperactive system |
|
Aggression | Screaming Aggression towards self Towards others without provocation |
Poor communication skills Has poor play skills Lag in social skill Does not understand cause and effect |
Hyperactivity | Constantly on the move Sitting still is difficult When agitated movement increase |
Movement is therapeutic is that is the calming technique available to the child Does not know to avoid stressful situations No opportunity for decision making skills |
The children need choice making option, in food they eat, activities they do, people to be with and clothes to wear. It is through association learning happenes. By facilitating association and understanding the why of behaviour, problem solving can happen and the behaviour can be addressed. This is an integral part of Early Intervention programme. Both facilitators and parents are oriented an analysis of behaviour and application of behaviour modification strategies.
Kaleidoscope Learning Center
From Gita Bhalla's Desk
Come September, and the last month of the first term begins the wind up process. First term reports are being compiled, and teachers are busy assessing the efficacy of the Vocational training programs started earlier this term. Each child of the senior school is now undergoing training in the second vocation after spending eight to ten weeks in the first . The main lessons were wound up too, and they culminated in three plays performed by the grades 4, 5, and 6. This happened on 29 September and the performances were enjoyed by the whole school, and our visitors.
On World Tourism Day, grades 3 and 4 went to Crocodile Bank on ECR and were treated to games, shows and food. We thank Explore Differently for organising and inviting our children for "Crocs for all! "
Onam was celebrated on 28th September and the traditional display of dolls was held on the 30th of September. Both the occasions had children come in festival clothes, sing, dance and eat sweets. Pookolam was an all school event where children from all the classes completed one huge rangoli.
An inservice on Friday the 23 of September by Dr. John Miller was arranged in KLC. Teachers from Kaustubh and Sreyes had also come and listen to him and clarify some doubts they had about their trainees. It was indeed a useful session and John has promised to come again after realising the many unanswered questions and the interest with which the teachers were drinking up his very simple commonsense suggestions.
The mothers in KLC whose children were being trained in Cafe Samarth, decided to become active participants in the training program and now are seen a lot in KLC wanting to help with the various chores outlined by the teachers and parents after discussions and planning. We hope that this collaborative effort will be worth it and soon we can formally inaugurate Cafe Samarth in the Shardha building.
The SIET final year students from the interior design units have begun painting the outside wall in the Sharda building.
Four students of TISS Bombay, interested in Waldorf education for special needs are volunteering in KLC and have begun their internship.
We welcomed our new volunteers from VIA .ev , Lauritz Seeberg and Laura to KLC on the 23rd of September. We wish for them a rich and fruitful time with us.
V-Excel Educational Trust
The GuideStar Transparency Award Ceremony
In a ceremony on September 27, at the Mumbai Cricket Association, Bandra, Mumbai, V-Excel was one of the 65 organisations invited to participate in the GuideStar India Transparency Awards. We were recognised for winning the GuideStar India Advanced Level- Gold Certification Award. Dr. Vasudha Prakash represented V-Excel at the function. Also present was Mrs. Ajita Panshikar.
Tarang in Chennai
This month's concert in our Tarang series featured the prominent Carnatic and playback singer, Ms. Anuradha Sriram. The Tarang program of the month was the highlight of the month so far as the children were concerned. Anuradha and her troupe not only made music enjoyable for them, interacted with them and encouraged them to come on stage and participate.
Coastal Cleanup Day
Twenty of our staff and children volunteered in Hexaware's Coastal Cleanup Day at Besant Nagar Beach, Chennai. On Saturday, September 17, 2016 World Coastal Cleanup Day, volunteers of Hexaware Technologies Limited set out on a mission. The mission was to clean Besant Nagar beach, which, after bidding adieu to Lord Ganesha, could have been mistaken for a dumping ground.
Open Day in YES
An "Open Day" event was held on Saturday 10th September 2016 in our Mylapore center to introduce and highlight the activities that happen at our Youth Empowerment Services (YES) Unit. This was meant primarily for the parents of our trainees in YES and for the V-Excel community in general. The event was well-attended and well received.
Trainees and Trainers
An introductory meeting of Trainees and Trainers of the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Training Program at Sharada on September 8, 2016. Shri V. Nagaswamy, Manager (Development Cell), Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corp. Ltd. presided.
Our center at BVB, T. Nagar
For the past year or so, we have been really looking forward to extending our association with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. A small puja was held at the BVB Centre on Thanikachalam Road, T. Nagar, Chennai where we will be offering services such as having a Parent Resource Centre and Counselling and Psychotherapy Services for the general public and Geriatric population. Our thanks to Shri K.N. Ramaswamy, Director (Bhavans), Shri S.S. Rajsekar (Board of Advisors, V-Excel) and Shri L. Sabaratnam, Chairman (Bhavans) for being present and gracing the occasion.
Occupational Therapy
Happenings
Greetings from SI and NDT Department!
As the first term is about to complete its course, therapists were evaluating each children and goals for the next term has been formulated.
The home program given to the VRC parents were discussed and new program were given for unachieved goals. KLC Teachers feedback about some children who have more issues have been discussed and documented. New Therapy Program for KLC critical children is yet to be started from second term.
Three new children have joined this month for therapy and one from Pudhiyadhor too is getting the service. Consultations are updated in IPP and term wise updates yet to be done.
V-Excel Remedial Center
From Kejal Bakshi's Desk
Krishna Agarwal, attending the remedial sessions for the past one month, his mother says, "I am very happy with the sessions and the child is calmer throughout the day. Diet and rhythm has helped him a lot. He sleeps well in the night."
Meetings with other departments like occupational and counseling was held to discuss about children who will benefit from these therapies. This multidisciplinary approach, really helps us to work with children better, as their emotional needs and
sensory or gross motor needs are worked upon.
Many of our children had their first term exams and took leave as they had mid-term break in school. During this time, the teachers attended in-service programs by Mr. John Miller on Occupational therapy and Curative education and by Mrs. Kejal on Areas of Remediation.
We welcome two newly joined Gayathri and Parveen, who is working with us. Both are very professional and enjoy being children.
Under our Neev project with Wipro Cares, the children are coming regular for the remedial sessions, and are eager to enter the resource room. Resource room inside the school, helps us to be in constant touch with the school teachers and monitor the child's progress. Teachers attended in-service on topics like Occupational Therapy, Art Therapy, Areas on Remediation. They also helped in developing the resource materials. Formal assessments have begun in Olcott Memorial School. In Malathi School, the teachers are busy preparing the progress reports of the children.
Satellite Centers
From Jayanthi Vishwanath's Desk
In the first week of September, children and their teachers made small idols of models of Lord Ganesh with clay. Every classroom made one idol and Ganesh Chathurthi was celebrated in the school with the teachers and children singing bhajans and Aarti of Lord Ganesh.
Ms. Archana Desai, a software engineer by profession and a social worker visited our school. She was impressed with the school set-up and volunteered to help us find a permanent building for our school in Nashik. Incidentally, Ms.Archana has just returned from Kashmir, after living there to serve in an orphanage.
The first-term evaluations of all the school children were carried out during the last week of September. The children were assessed by teachers and therapists.
Dr. Himani Dalmia, consultant Physiotherapist (Paedeatric Neurology) carried out assessments of all the children in the CP classroom and suggested some modifications in the therapy protocol.
The YES trainees successfully launched the paper cups made by them using the semi-automatic machine. The first lot of 520 cups were sold to a software company in Nashik. From the last week of September, the trainees in the Vocational unit are engaged in making Kandil for the festival season.
From Gopal Jahagirdar in Solapur
August
August 1st to 3rd our Regional Director (Western Region) Smt. Jayanthi Vishwanathan visited our center and guided us and following staff was given permanent orders.
On 6th August, Dr. Navale addressed Parents in our monthly parent meet
On 15th August Independence Day celebrated and our Chief Guest was Dr. Rohini Deshpande. All parents attended this event
Dahi Handi program was celebrated and all parents and students enjoyed this program
Raakhi poornima was celebrated and for this program Sreepriya Kulkarni (one of our ex-students whi is now is in Pune) visited us and tied rakhi to all students.
September
On 1st September, Flower Day was celebrated. Our students collected a variety of flowers from surrounding areas of the school and did the several activities with the flowers.
On 6th September, Teachers Day was celebrated. The Chief Guest for this program was Smt Dr. Padmaja Gandhi. All teachers were greeted by students.
On 13th September, Ganesh Festival was celebrated in the Center. Students made Ganesha statues using clay. They were trained in this by Sri Manohar Kanaki. The Chief Guest was Mrs. S.S. Gavande, (HoD of Physics Deparment of Sangameshwar College). Students of Sangameshar college also participated in this program.
On September 16th, IN Cable News team visited our Center and covered our center's program and this was telecast on 17th September Prime News at 9.00 p.m.
On September 27 and 28th all our Teachers participated in a workshop conducted by Thathapi Trust, Pune. The subject of the workshop was "Shareer Saksharat" (Know your body) and Sex Education for special children. This training was arranged by Jivhala Society Solapur.
Sri Raghvendra Patil was elected as the Board of Director of Sahyadri Parivaar (State Federation of Parent Associations for Maharastra state. This is a part of Parivaar National Federation.
Sri Patil attended a workshop on Self-Advocacy Mentor's Training at Umed Parivaar Pune.
Smt. Sunita Vaidya got the Best Teacher's award from Redington Foundation Chennai. It will boost our energy in our work. Congratulations to Smt. Vaidya!
On the 29th and 30th September, Sri Dilip Kulkarni visited the Center and completed the rental agreement and checked all expenses vouchers. Sri Kulkarni treated the entire staff at Hotel Lotus in recognition of the award to Smt. Vaidya
Vocational Training / Youth Empowerment Services
From Usha Rajagopal's Desk
The trainees at Sreyes enjoyed the experience of learning at the loom. Shanthi gave all of them chance at it to not only satiate their curiosity, but also to encourage them to focus on work . So the trainees now say..." If I pay full attention to my work, I will be able to learn for longer on the loom".
Mrs. Margaret Buch has registered with an organisation for sale of VTU products at a Christmas sale. She has info that this forum gives a good price for hand-made products and she plans to price them such that the intricacies of the work done by our group is appreciated. We have planned 13 such items and production of the same, as it takes place is put away towards this event. We look forward to a different experience with this.
Orders for jute bags and non-woven thambulam bags with block print have been received for Navaratri. The unit is working towards the same. Thanks to Latha, who took efforts to get these orders.
A set of samples of products were given to Sringeri Mutt as well as to Charu Sriram. Charu showed them to the MLA whom she visited and it was very much appreciated, she said.
On 6th we had a group of 6 ladies from the Thursday Ladies club, who came over to felicitate teachers and therapists. It was a warm gesture on their part and was well received by the staff who received gifts from them.
The Tamilnadu Handicraft project has been coordinated at Sreyes by Mr. Anandapadmanabhan, Sundari Aunty, Margaret and Usha the past month. On the 8th September, we had the formal coming together of resource persons and trainees at Sharada. The classes commenced formally from 9 a.m. on the 9th. This is a program of training the trainers in Handicraft, to work with persons with special needs. The course duration is 6 months and the first 4 weeks of work with clay is taking place at Sreyes.
On the 10th, we had a special experience. It was the first of the Open Days at Kausthubam. The concept and execution guided by Vasudha was a great one and very successful in purpose. It was indeed a great joy to see the young trainees... Young men and women, quite articulate about what and how they do at their vocation. Congratulations to the team led by Rama and the admin group that was behind them. The interactive session with parents, that followed this, saw the birth of a parents group that will work towards the group homes. Parents of trainees of Sreyes also benefitted from this experience.
Rama and Usha met with the parents of a 17 year old boy and he has been given admission at VTU Sreyes. The boy, Sriram, has started coming and is settling down gradually.
The group have been making paper bags for Dussehra, and this week they completed 200 bags. Another order for 400 block printed, non-woven thambulam bags for Dussehra was received in short notice.
The unit put together a hamper for Ajita and Charu to take to their Mumbai CSR conference. Another order for painted diyas ...200 numbers was executed with great enthusiasm. A call from Srirangam asking us to send our products for a shelf in one of their outlets.
Our volunteer Shoba is back. She has updated the trainee records. When VTU Shoba / Jayanthi go for the Poompuhar training, she takes over the supervision with the trainees.
A young volunteer Malavika, from Abacus school, wanted to put in some hours of work with us. She did a very useful and good job of creating a file with all photographs and details of our products, with product code. Thanks to Lalitha for referring her.
We had a visitor from Asha, Mr. Madan, accompanied by Ajita. He went around to see all the activities and was quite happy with the different aspects of the trainees that were being addressed to hone their personality.
Shaira, conducted the group session for the trainees and Radhika met with a parent and teacher. Radha continues with her academics for the group.
On the 17th Cafe Samarth hosted a birthday party. We had 25 guests and they thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The trainees have become adept at box making and it's very nice to see them doing it so well. They made 490 boxes . Thank you Jason, Sri. Anand and Rama for facilitating this.
The Tarang program of the month was the highlight of the month so far as the trainees are concerned. Anuradha Sriram and her troupe not only made music enjoyable for them, interacted with them and encouraged them to come on stage and participate. Gouthami took advantage of this opportunity and this experience seems to have given a boost to her self worth. Thank you Vasudha and Jayashree Bharath.
The case discussion, the first of it, with the unit heads was useful and brought out points of action and the further path for Sri Charan. The discussion on admission criteria helped bring out points we need to plan for and aspects to be considered during the admission process. Thanks Ajita, for constantly suggesting bringing out these aspects for discussion.
Dr. Karthiyayini met with the mothers of the new trainees to create and update their medical files.
The electrical work needed for the setting up of the sanitary napkin machine has been completed.
Doll kolu with 9 steps has been set up and all the trainees are looking forward to the 7th October, when parents will be invited for the kolu. Wishes for Dussehra and the festive season to follow.
From Youth Empowerment Services:
On 9th September 2016, Paypal, India arranged a logo drawing competition in which our trainees Deepa, Ankit, Srinidhi, and Vasudevan participated.
On 10th September, for the first time in V-Excel, in YES, we organised an Open Day. The trainees decorated all the vocational units colourfully. Our Trustees, all the parents of V-Excel trainees and other special school teachers were invited. The trainees demonstrated all our vocational activities. In the baking unit, trainees prepared cookies and served fresh cookies to the visitors. Our Founder-Trustee, Dr. Vasudha Prakash, organised a parent meet in which she floated the idea of starting a community home. Several parents volunteered and have started planning towards it.
We have started receiving outside orders for our printing and documentation unit. We have received an order from our Mylapore MLA Mr. Nataraj IPS for a promotional brochure and have started working towards it.
On 26th, September, our trainees visited Hotel Sangeetha, under the 'Fine Dining Experience'. The trainees ordered their menu, paid cash, and received individual bills. It was a very good experience to them.