"“That one plant should be sown and another be produced cannot happen; whatever seed is sown, a plant of that kind even comes forth."
...Guru Nanak
V-Excel News
This month was an eventful month with V-Excel co-hosting the week-long IPMT conference, held at Mahabalipuram between 19th and 26th of November 2011. This was a conference for medical doctors, psychologists, therapists, teachers for different grade levels, curative educators and community development professionals, focusing on tenets of anthroposophy. V-Excel had the single largest participation as an organization and had their teachers and other professionals cutting across different groups in IPMT. The collective learning has been immense and we plan to consolidate this and share the knowledge with everyone at V-Excel.
For some time now, it has been proposed to start a Sibling Club where siblings of our students come together, develop comradeship and in future get started on some supportive and enriching lifestyle programs for our students. It was with this aim that we initiated the first step of gathering data about the siblings and then including the younger siblings in this year's Children's Day celebration. We intend to take this project seriously as it addresses a very grave question faced by all the parents of special children, "After me, who?"
Our Satellite Centers at Nashik and Tirunelveli have been in the process of establishing themselves over the past few months and have met with success on the student front. This month, however, they both faced some personnel issues due to the sudden departure of their therapist. We have taken quick action and organized for the children to be attended to. Given that these towns do have a dire need for services, we urge people to step forward if they can help with either manpower or material resources in any way.
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
This was a month of some commencements and some happenings. We introduced siblings in our group on the Children's Day. Our aim is to get all the siblings to know each other, share their experiences and eventually network with each other, towards a longer term objective of psychologically supporting their brother/sister. We are very grateful to the young students of MOP Vaishnav College who showed great enthusiasm in bringing to the children of V-Excel and their siblings, a day of fun and games, play and performances. The children as well as the organizers had a great time together! We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Hariharan who distributed sweets and savory to all the children.
While most of the KLC staff was away for the long IPMT training program at Mahabalipuram, great pains were taken by the non-participating teachers to ensure that the children have a fruitful week. Some one-on-one and some home programs were drawn up with John's help and the parents were explained the necessity of keeping to the rhythm and spending the day with the children with ease and harmony. They also, spring cleaned the resource cupboards and also made new bean bags for the Center. Thank you Vasanthi and her team of helpers!
Academy for Teacher Excellence
We propose to offer a two-year B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) course from Annamalai University for Special Education, besides Diploma in subjects such as Autism, Mental Retardation, Early Intervention, etc. from the next academic year. We have thus approached the University and the process of approvals is on its way.
We have got a go-ahead to be a Study Center for IGNOU (Indira Gandhi Open University) for undertaking multiple courses on various relevant subjects. The necessary paperwork is being completed and we soon hope to increase our repertoire of training offerings.
Early Intervention Unit
The month of November was very busy due to the preparations for the annual event by the Early Intervention Unit - Children's Day - scheduled for early next month.
This year, parents were actively involved in preparing the props required for the program. Typically, EI Unit has a one-on-one program, but for the practice many children came in together which was lot of learning and fun for both staff and children.
Individual parent training program was initiated to cater to the needs of parents coming from outstation who are with us for a short period of time. The training program lays emphasis on the importance of developmental training (communication and functional skill training) at a young age. Parent training program will be reviewed once implemented and necessary follow-up will be undertaken.
We are using 'play' as a methodology to work on communication development of young children. Research has shown very positive effects of 'play' and we hope to see many children benefit from this technique.
Bridges Learning Academy
November dawned and we were practically on a roller coaster ride on the events that followed. It was unlike any other month, including unusual rains and poor attendance.
We received an invitation for registering our participation in the competitions held by the Disability Commission for special children on the occasion of the Children's Day. Names were registered for various events like - drawing & painting, craft making, story-telling, music, fancy dress and observation. Hectic practice was undertaken. Everything was organized (props and materials) in detail and the children practiced diligently.
On the set day, the students assembled at the school promptly at 8.30 a.m. and reached the University campus at 9.30 a.m.. We were received by the University volunteers assigned to us. Special mention must be made about the meticulous way in which things were organized. They were very kind, courteous and always willing to help. The events that followed took us by surprise. There was no looking back, it was only winning moments, as the children's efforts paid off. Besides a small momento was presented to the school and participatory gifts to all, our children got appreciated for their excellent performance. Their prizes, in different age categories and events, were as follows - Ruppesh: Craft making - I prize, Observation - I prize, Drawing - I prize, Umesh: Story telling - I prize, Observation - I prize, Vishnu: Craft making - I prize, Drawing - III prize. Dr. Vasudha Prakash was promptly informed about the victory our children had in an interschool forum.
Our report of the program would be incomplete without the mention of the names Brinda and Gomathi (trainees from our Learning Disabilities Course), who gave us the moral support and assistance needed for the program. Brinda took great initiative and pleasure being with the students and giving them tips and clues in enhancing their craft and drawing. Last but not the least, our boys stood the strain of the entire day patiently without a single grumble. Good show children; we are really proud of you all!
V-Excel Remedial Centre
Remedial assessments were completed for four children during this month. We had meetings with the parents and explained to them our assessment findings and remedial programs for three children. While three of these children continue with us for remedials, one child has been put on home remedial program. The assessment work is going for six more new children.
Three more children from KLC have been put on remedial program with us during school hours for one hour a day with specific goals. The objective is to see that certain specific concerns that cannot be as effectively addressed in a group setting are given extra attention and worked upon for overall improvement in that particular area.
Two of our teachers attended IPMT program and came back armed with some robust concepts that can form a seat of our program design. Children and their developmental phases, their milestones and focus needed at every age group have a great bearing on what and how we teach. We shall be reviewing these in further detail to integrate in our one-on-one remedial programs.
Rural Outreach Program
The awareness camps that began last month across the nine blocks of Villipuram district continued this month too. The program targets parents, teachers, children and the general public for being vigilant and resort to early intervention, wherever they find a significant gap in the milestones expected versus the actual development of children.
For our rural project, since we work with under the government directives, some changes are being proposed in the village coverage. Based on that the resource room and other facilities will be set up.
Vocational Training Unit
The new desk-top calendars for 2012 were ready by 14th November. Each and every trainee was happily engrossed with, and significantly contributed to the process of calendar making. All the teachers, volunteers and support staff also extended full whole-hearted support to see us through till completion. Trainees have gone back to their normal scheduled program routine after this hectic fun filled project.
These calendars were exhibited at the IPMT Conference which had 150 professionals from different fields. The calendars were well-received and got an overwhelming response at the IPMT. Apart from calendars, the delegates admired other items made by the trainees, which had also been laid out at the poster exhibition. Among the products displayed were cell-phone pouches, evening bags, and table mats with Warli work, etc.
The trainees are getting ready for a ramp walk on 3rd December at the Youth Hostel in Indiranagar, on the occasion of World Disability Day.
Movement Therapy has begun after a small break; the students enjoy these sessions with great enthusiasm.
Counseling and Assessment Unit
The month of November was a busy month. Many of us attended IPMT, a weeklong training in Anthroposophy. A great learning opportunity for all. Three of us attended another Art Therapy workshop by Australian Art Therapist, Sally Martin. We learnt how to diagnose the pathology in Painting and how to work with colours so that healing occurs organically. It was truly an enriching course!
For the department, apart from all the new learning, it was a month of connecting with the young population. We got invitations from Stella Maris College and Loyola College to address the post-graduate students. In Stella Maris we undertook a workshop for the second year students of post-graduation on Stress Management. It was conducted for all their branches. The response very positive and we got an opportunity to understand the college-level issues through these programs.
In Loyola College, we were invited to talk at a program arranged by the women's wing of the college. It was for the second year post-graduate students. The conference was on legal awareness and women empowerment. Keeping in mind that these young girls are stepping out into the world and will have to shoulder many responsibilities, we took up the topic 'Mindful Relationships' that will ensure stress-free healthy associations for their future. The students as well as the others involved appreciated our session very much.
Contact Information
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
V-Excel Center for Research and Rehabilitation
(In assocation with S.V. Sarada Foundation)
50 Sreyes, M.G. Road
Shastri Nagar, Chennai 600 041
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24522061
91 - 44 - 24521986 E-mail us
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison New Jersey 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
