This early intervention program was initiated by V-Excel in the year 2006. The program is based on the tenet that early action for identified developmental delays can bring about significant impact and age appropriate achievements and contribute to mainstreaming of children wherever required. The program has gradually been geared towards early social inclusion which works on time bound programs.

The aim of the Early Intervention (EI) program, implemented by V-Excel, is to provide timely intervention to young children (0-7 years) so that they mainstream early in life, and do not face challenging situations later stage due to their initial developmental lags/delay. The primary focus areas include neuro-sensory development, functional independence, school readiness and socialization skills, all these are extremely important for a child’s holistic growth. Early Intervention Unit is set up on the principles of sensory integration and neuro-developmental therapy. The services range from early identification and screening, referral services, diagnostic services, direct intervention programs and even preventing their occurrence, wherever possible. The normal growth of babies can be categorized into the following areas: Children with Delayed Milestones, Autism, Syndromes, Neurological and Muscular disorder and other early development delay benefits from the programme.

The process followed for each child includes a comprehensive development assessment, designing of a development plan, the implementation process and progressive monitoring. The duration of treatment/therapy is from a minimum of 3 months to a year or more period of time. Young children's development is characterized by a broad range of cross sectional behaviors aligned to developmental domains and so the evaluations for children for developmentally delay include: a) history of the child's developmental, social, and medical details b) vision and hearing screening of the child c) observations at the centre by appropriately trained specialists familiar with child development, d) physical development assessment in the area of Neuro muscular development (fine and gross motor combined), e) cognitive development, f) language skills assessment of receptive and expressive skills combined, g) social/emotional development assessment using direct and indirect observation data compiled by an appropriate specialist, and h) adaptive behavior skills assessment by an appropriately trained specialist through an appropriate standardized instrument using the child’s principal caretaker and/or other familiar person (with parental consent) as an informant.

The rate of human development and learning is most rapid in pre-school years therefore the timing of the intervention becomes important when the child runs the risk of missing an opportunity to learn during a state of maximum readiness.

SATELLITE CENTRES The aim of starting satellite centre at Tirunelveli and Erode is to provide specialized education and therapy services for holistic development of children with special needs in the age group of 0-30 years. The services offered in these satellite centres are early intervention, Therapy services, Remedial intervention, Counselling to parents and Pre-Vocational and Vocational skills. The programme is individualized and children benefit from individual and group programme. The Tirunelveli centre was started on 2nd May 2011 and Erode centre was started on 3rd October 2012.

Another milestone ! The 120th edition of Strides, our monthly publication. A chronicle of records, an insiders look in to the various facets and the happenings in all the units!

Looking back, we notice patterns. At least in some units like KLC. The rhythm of the year, the festivals and celebrations, the comings and goings , the interweaving of everyday curriculum with outstanding moments of revelation when some child or teacher creatively puts things in perspective. And then you know that you are dealing with a living dynamic force, a living force forming the etheric layer of the school which is now thirteen years old.

Our children who form the main student body come in with eager young faces, waiting to be understood and guided by the kindergarten teachers. Very soon, parents begin to see a visible change in their demeanour, their acceptance of school and their relationship with the world. After a few months in the kindergarten. They learn to communicate, eat independently and engage with people and material. From grade 1 onwards, they begin mastering the alphabet and number, learn to learn, learn to move, learn to bring their doing, feeling and learning into a harmony. All this interwoven with music, art, movement, play, craft, and prevocational activity.

Somewhere over this rainbow bridge connecting the world of disability with the world where the children are understood, accepted and urged to move ahead with their learning and vocational skills, are the teachers, the care takers, the custodial staff, the management all providing a space and allowing the children to blossom in freedom. So every now and then, we have some expressions of the inner world of the child and then we know we are on the right lines. They tell us that our love is making a difference, our acceptance is helping them live out their lives with dignity and they continue to give us courage that despite the ups and downs, accidents and floods, comings and goings, heartbreaks and celebratory moments, we have to relentlessly continue to believe in their potential, continue to teach them in ways that make sense to them and never give up hope.

For these messages, we thank the students. For continually striving to work deeper we salute the teachers. For continued faith, we thank the parents ,and to the community of supporters, well wishers, our friends across the globe our deepest gratitude. You are helping us create a world for people who need support, in ways that adds meaning to their lives. Your support comes a long way in achieving our dreams for our students and providing opportunities for them to lead independent productive lives.

The seamlessness with which each year merges into each other, each celebration bringing its own flavour, that the fabric of life is visible as a beautiful tapestry and adds meaning to this life which would have otherwise remained a puzzle with incomplete edges for people with special needs. The richness of the curriculum , the time and space and context makes life full and complete . The month of December is perhaps a culmination of sorts bringing the spirit of Christmas alive, spreading joy and good will all around the school building. We wish everyone a very happy new year and hope that we continue to collaborate our efforts in making the world a more tolerant, inclusive and ideal place to raise our children.

Between the Years - by Dr. Vasudha Prakash

Our Founder-Director, Dr. Vasudha Prakash, writes about the years past ..

Working in the field of disability opens out your heart and lights up your mind in ways that cannot be imagined or preconceived. The experiences we have had with our cdilren with special needs have always been filled with transformational energy. It has impacted our lives, asking us to meet parts of ourslves that are stuck, stagnant or suppressed, with warmth and compassion.

It has been fourteen years of growing respect for what they can do with their thoughts housed in bodies and minds that may be fragmented. Each child and young adilt has inspired us to go beyond our rigid boundaries, guiding us to encounter them, or anyone who has crossed our paths, with a certain interest and warmth. This has brought dignity to the lives of those we touch and we, in turn, have developed into a community of caring and nurturing people. We have learnt an important lesson - to watch and behold with wonder what emerges as the hidden person, behind the disabled person.

Through the 10 years of Strides, we have tried to convey that individuals with disability count in this world. As a reader of this newsletter, it is also your way of embracing differences and stopping for a moment to reflect on what lies behing and beyond. And it is your way of reaching out to a world that is changing from "they" and "I" to a resounding "Us!"

A Destiny called V-Excel - by Ajita Panshikar

Our Executive Director, Ajita Panshikar, shares reflections of her V-Excel journey ..

I have been with V-Excel for over 12 years now! How time flies…or should I say, it seems like I have always been here. Having worked earlier only in corporate settings for about 17 years, I was initially quite apprehensive about working in an NGO, till I met and had a chat with the dynamic Founder Vasudha. It was a different side of the real world at V-Excel, and after realizing that I can contribute in many ways, given my strengths and professional experience, there was no looking back! There were impediments about structure, about resources, about money, and about systems, but what touched me to the core, and has kept me going, is a deep sense of goodness in every human being I meet, a sea of innocence in every child I see, and a purity of purpose in everything we do.

It was a new environment for me and I was learning about life at every step. I learnt a fresh meaning of the words compassion, hope, commitment, perseverance, love and unconditional giving; these feelings came alive in V-Excel, and still do. The passion with which everyone works with children and young adults with special needs is very infectious. We have so many wonderful people in V-Excel and each one teaches you a lot. Work we all do, but finding oneself and meaning in one's work, makes all the difference! So much has happened over the last decade and we have moved ahead significantly on many fronts, but one thing hasn’t changed at all, thankfully, the warmth and credibility V-Excel name brings along. I am so glad I set on this path; thanks V-Excel for this lovely journey!

In our journey in V-Excel, department has undergone various milestones and there is a notable increase in the availability of therapy desk and services. We are successful in rendering following services all through the days-

Mrs. Jayanthi Vishwanath, our Regional Head (Satellite Centers), writes about her V-Excel journey

I came into this field of Special Education by chance. By nature, I like to help people, whenever or wherever I am able to. I guess, that is the basic reason, why I took on to this field like fish to water.

Here, I learned to nurture and nourish humanity so that they had space to grow, change and be more unified in heart and spirit.

One main reason for my overall development is the personal space and the freedom which this organization has given us; to explore and do what we believe in.

Looking back, I would say, the last decade of my life has been a truly enriching and empowering period of my life. In fact, the last five years has been a period of deep experiential learning.

My interaction with parents and children has been very stimulating and has helped me nurture my inner self in some ways. Now I am able to look at life with a better perspective. One other positive aspect that I have noticed in myself is that I am able to accept the conditions around me more easily now than before.

Time and again I have been receiving messages, with the content that any work we do with pure heart and clean intention receives blessings from the Divine. I have understood the purpose of my existence and I firmly believe that the children and parents have come into my life to teach me a lot of good virtues.

Sometimes, when I reflect on the nature of work I have been doing, I question myself- "Would I have received these valuable insights, achieved some personal growth and fulfillment, if I had been in any other profession?" The answer is a firm "No".

I end my reflections of my journey with V-Excel with this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."

Happy New Year and Warm regards and love to all,

Mrs. Usha Rajagopal, the Program Director of our Vocational and Rehabilitation Services, reminisces about 2015 and looks forward to 2016 with enthusiasm.

The year 2015 has been a different one for the Vocational unit at Sreyes. What began as a training unit and then evolved to be a production unit, was involved in other different areas too.

In January they participated in the Special Olympics and won some medals too. They forayed into trying of Fret work and hand-made paper making. These were interesting new areas.

The preparation of props by the interns, for the annual day, was an exciting experience for all and to see IT on stage was a delight for the parents.

We saw a couple of interns ready to come in and work during vacation when there was an unexpected Order for a product.

A couple of consultations for teenaged youngsters from southern districts of the state for Pre voctional programs has brought in demand for such inputs on a regular basis.

With the beginning of the academic year 2015-2016, the staff of the unit were involved in giving training in products, at Kaustubham, Sharada and at our new centre at Srirangam.

The month of June brought new, older young adults for admission and they were taken into the production unit as 'on the job' trainees. Training with volunteers like Uma and Piravi, the interns are now capable of filling out bank challans, hospital forms or any other, that may require personal information. They have gained confidence in handling money with the help of calculators.

Art appreciation outings, puppetry workshop and participation in exhibitions and stalls has brought about a great change in their socialising skills.

Nanditha, our intern is now a confident young woman after training and working with us for 6 years. Her socialising skills as well as communication and work skills have moved a long way. Her family plans for her to learn domestic chores in addition to tailoring and work from home. Gautami, our intern of 5 years who trained and worked with us, is now training in front office skills at the Early Intervention unit and also to be an aide to a special educator. Vaishali, our intern is now training in formal tailoring with a regular course. She has been able to do this after training and working with us for 4 years.Her family hopes that she will be able to set up her own tailoring shop. Yogeswari, is confident that her training and work with the unit for 3 1/2 years has added to her skill set and given her better socialising skills. She and her family plan to get her married.

With the movement of these young adults, we see that of the Unit. It has been a great year of sharing, working together and enjoyment. We have learnt to keep schedules, be extra particular in quality control and careful with our resources.

As I asked the young interns to recall the happenings of the yester year, they were happy stories, shared with animated expressions where many could differentiate between their experience with family from that of with friends!!

What more do we look for? Sure , we have a lot of plans for the year 2016 and do be in touch to know more about us and our work at Sreyes.