"Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos - the trees, the clouds, everything." Thich Nhat Hanh
V-Excel News
With the most significant event in August, the Indian Independence Day on 15th August, the entire month was speckled
with stories of truth, justice and forbearance -virtues which were hallmarks of our freedom fighters and perhaps would
somewhere inspire our children to follow the footsteps of our great leaders. Our heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Guest
Mrs. Ranjini Manian, CEO, Global Adjustments, who made pertinent and touching observations about our children and their purity.
We are proud to announce the results of our RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) accredited course – Diploma in Special
Education for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Of the thirteen students who appeared, five got distinction and eight got a first class.
Given that the program is an excellent mix of theoretical knowledge and practical training, these new special educators
are ready to start working with special children
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
Our children flavoured the Independence Day with all their new learnings and did a freedom dance, demonstrating their
‘free’ will. Children of KLC performed scenes from life of Mahatma Gandhi through eurhythmy; a song by Bharithiyar was
performed using the bamboo sticks.
On August 22, we had our second PEM (Parent Education Meeting) with about 25 parents of V-Excel. They played traditional games
like hop scotch, tops and marbles. The parents and teachers had lots of fun and meaningful communication.
We celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi, where children of Grade school and Prevocational class made their own ‘Ganeshas’, ate diet
sweets and sang Bhajans through the day.
Gokulashtami was celebrated by KG and Grade 1. In a delightful and novel way of teaching, the entire section comprising
of four classrooms was converted into ‘Gokul’ (where Krishna lived and played as a child). Everyone was invited to spend time
with the 31 ‘Krishnas’ through the week. The ambience was created by a cowshed with hay, and the pot of butter which was
broken amidst cheers of Jai Govinda and Jai Krishna!!
The Kindergarten and Grade 1 had an exhibition of the work completed by the children and the paintings done by the parents
which had been converted into small booklets. This month has been marked with a lot of interaction between the parents and
staff of KLC and we hope that our efforts in working together will bear fruit for our children.
Academy for Teacher Excellence
As a part of the teacher training, a door-to-door research was conducted to get an insight into how the society around
views ‘disability’ and reacts to their integration into our busy and modern life style. The presentations that followed
were really an eye-opener and highlight the tremendous efforts needed for awareness generation.
Individual child observations were done amongst students of our special school, KLC. This enabled the teachers-to-be
appreciate the finer aspects of children’s behaviour and learn how to handle different situations.
The students took the initiative in singing the flag song on the Independence Day and joined the celebrations with the
children of our Center.
Multiple Intelligence is a theory proposed by Howard Gardener that suggests that intelligence is far too limited. Usha
Ramakrishnan’s lecture on this subject and her explanation of eight different intelligences was amazing and very informative.
Our teachers got involved in the preparations for the carnival. They made lots of charts for the various stalls and also
helped pack gifts for ‘Treasure Island’ game.
We watched the movie Taare Zamein Par, which focuses on the issues and anguish concerning a child with dyslexia, followed
by a thought provoking discussion.
Early Intervention Unit
In the month of August new children were inducted. The focus of training program has been on self help skills such as
feeding and dressing for the age group of 4-6 years.
The children in the age group of 3½–4½ go through the school preparation program and then sent to regular schools. For
ensuring adaptability, we are simulating the school environment for children who are ready to be included in the regular school.
Awareness program for primary school teachers for identifying children with developmental lag is been formulated.
The program for younger children consisted of development training, sensory facilitation and sensory play.
Review for the month is going on with a focus on alteration of goals and emphasis on home training program.
Bridges Learning Academy
The month of August has sped past very rapidly; the children have learnt many new concepts and strategies this month.
All efforts are being made by the teachers to complete the portions for the forthcoming quarterly exams.
The much–awaited field trip to the Planetarium scheduled for this month, unfortunately, had to be postponed to the next
term due to the Swine–Flu alert.
A ‘Sharing Day’ was celebrated this month. The students enthusiastically brought many yummy snacks and goodies from home
which they had to share with their friends. This event was designed to enable the children bond with one another and experience
the ‘sheer joy in giving’.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
Planning! Organization! Implementation! -the key factors for good functioning of any institution. Demonstrating this,
August began with implementation of each task. The three sections of VRC- School Readiness Group, Individual Sessions and
Group Sessions have each taken their path and are smoothly running on their unique tracks.
The Readiness Group experienced and enjoyed a patriotic feeling by enacting a play on Independence Day. All the children
had great fun celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi by making Ganesh idol, decorating ‘mandapam’, performing pooja and immersing
the idol .
To maintain transparency at VRC, a parent meeting was conducted. The modified structure, the work processes of VRC and
the parent’s role in supporting the children were elaborated. Besides discussions, these meetings have also given an
opportunity to the parents to experience Eurhythmy and Bamboo sticks activity.
For a holistic approach in our group sessions, different methods have been used to enhance oral language, imagination,
creative writing, organizational and comprehension skills. The parents’ positive response has enthused the whole unit.
We believe in a continuous learning process; the educators in VRC had their first in-service program on ‘Areas of Assessment’
which will make it possible for all the educators to achieve this primary and important step of remediation
Rural Outreach Program
Work is going on in a systematic manner in the villages, with the Special Educators doing their ongoing visits to schools
and homes for monitoring the progress of children.
Five of our teachers attended a five day workshop that was meant for regularizing the RCI registration for training
persons with Mental Retardation.
Vocational Training Unit
With the Carnival less than a week away, our Centre bears the look of a Crafts Fair. We began the year with clay-mixing,
an activity which brought us all together. It is wonderful to see the outcome- terracota products such as jewellery dolls
and masks. The creative genius behind these, and in fact all the products, is Mrs. Margaret Buch. We are happy to have her
in our midst and sincerely thank her for all her support.
We made easy to carry, eco–friendly bags called ‘Bhoomi–Mitra’ ,tie-dye, block–printed stoles with bead work, pencil
stands, cellphone pouches, sun catchers, coasters, head painted (Warli & Ravi Varma) bottles., file folders, writing pads etc.
We welcome you to come and see them for yourself to believe how beautiful they are! It is heartening to see the growth of
the trainees, especially in communication and in skills.
Twice a month, the VTU team and counselors assemble to read and discuss a text on Anthroposophy. This really helps us to
get a deeper understanding of human beings
Mrs. Shika Kaushik continues to host monthly parent support group meetings, sprinkled with music, dance, and food. This
helps strengthen their bond significantly.
The monthly field–trips are becoming more & more meaningful. This month we went to a Gurdwara and a Jain temple. The
spiritual side of our trainees is quite impressive.
Counseling and Assessment Unit
We are almost at the end of first term and the three months have just flown by. Multidisciplinary approach has been
the key word this term, making counseling an essential component of the service offered by every Unit.
This year, we designed the program for parents such that it includes meetings with counselors. Slowly, parent counseling
in school is taking root and we hope to reach as many parents as possible. With external therapies such as foot bath and
foot massage becoming part of the remedies, counseling has become a truly integrated facility.
The counseling service introduced at IT companies is picking up well. Their issues are fairly complex and generally call
for multiple sessions with the counselees. We are happy to support their employees, manifested by their overwhelming response.
Contact Info :: India:
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 – 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
Contact Info :: USA:
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison, NJ 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
Volunteer Info:
Volunteers are an integral part of our success. Our most pressing needs are in the areas of occupational and speech therapies, and
as teacher aides. We also require assistance in library management.
If you have any of these and are interested in volunteering at V-Excel, please contact us.
India Autism: Trying Tradition
In India, old ideas are giving new options to treating autism. Liz Neisloss reports on that country's approach.
Seek the truly practical material life,
but seek it so that it does not blind you
to the spirit which is active in it.
Seek the spirit,
but seek it not in esoteric indulgence,
out of supersensible egoism,
but seek it so that you wish to apply it
selflessly
in the practical life
in the practical world.
Turn to the ancient principle,
matter is never without spirit and
spirit is never without matter,
in such a way that we say
we will to do all material things
in the light of the spirit
and we will so to seek
the light of the spirit,
so that it evokes warmth for us
in our practical activities.
