Taare Zameen Par...
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Most of us here must have seen Taare Zameen Par, a story of a dyslexic child and an art teacher. If the art teacher role played by Aamir Khan, would have not realised the problem of dyslexia in his student, the child would have never done something special and hence, accepted by the society. The teacher has recognised the child so well and soon not because, he was teacher, but because he himself claims that he was dyslexic too. That’s all about a movie which always has to have a happy ending and that’s why called as a beginning. But like this special need child, there are thousands of children who are having some or other (personal/family) issues that continuously bother them. However, we can understand the problem better if we have been anytime in our life, have came across with it.
The regular school teachers should know or understand a little about the early sign or so called ‘Red Flag Sign’ of conditions like Autism, Dyslexia and other learning disabilities and Mental Retardation especially the borderline cases or mild to moderate cases. It is not to blame teachers, but I think it is the system that has always trained them for the regular students only.
In our country given the paucity of trained resources in the rehabilitation field, it is impractical to think replicating developed world model of health care. So, we need to develop resources locally, which can be available by training and developing skills to enhance care level. Empowering teachers, educate them with the basic child development and psychology can help in identifying the problem areas earliest. Any ignorance or lack of knowledge can aggravate the problem. In
Conditions like ASD (Autism spectrum Disorder), learning Disability, ADHD (Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder), mild/ moderate Mental Retardation; Family issues etc generally don’t attract attention early as the child grows physically normally. However, to handle the special need children the school may need the special staff if the child gets into inclusive education. Besides, family the teachers are the care takers and are considered to be the builder of a person. So, if the teachers are aware and educated about the above problems, they can help them by referring earliest. Hence, the child can get the benefits of Early Intervention. However most of teachers might feel uncomfortable to handle special needs children as they require more attention and effort.
Teachers can play an important role because:
Ø The parents think always optimistically and not ready to accept the problem or can easily be misguided by the surroundings. So, teachers should always be alert to notice the signs and then refer to further assessment and evaluation.
Ø Now days most parents are working so, they have little time to spare with their children. Maximum time of the children goes in their Pre schools with primary teachers. So, teachers need to be more prompt to realise the problems.
Ø Since, every parent wants their child to get proper education so they send them to the best schools as per their affordability. So, if teachers are aware that something is different with the child, they can inform parents and ask them to take professionals help.
The child development is flexible and its potential may vary with the environment. Every child is different and hence, special. The distribution curve shows that most children resemble with the average in many traits, but there are few children who deviate from the generally accepted norms in any one of many ways. These deviations may give rise to multifactorial problems of adjustment at home, school and social setting and thus, leads to addition of problems in deviation. Deviation can be in terms of physical, social, emotional and mental characteristics.
According to PWD ACT 1995, the differently abled children are to be integrated in regular school. Integration in regular school promotes personal, emotional and physical adjustment to establish healthy interpersonal relationship.
As very well said for teachers, "I touch the future. I teach." (Christa McAuliffe)
Teachers are one who polishes the child to diamond; otherwise no body can recognise the capacity of child. If the teachers are cooperative and encouraging, the slow learners and mild to moderate MR can learn in control and stimulated environment. However, the teachers have to bear the extra load of arranging the different curriculum and have to be creative. For these special need children, the teacher has to play a role of designer, instructor, motivator and trainer.
Posted byNeeti at 10:52 PM 4 comments
Labels: advocacy, autism, awareness, child education, early intervention, Experiences, guidance, inclusion, information sharing, Learning disability, tips
Education is not for all
Monday, July 5, 2010
Success school, “it is not our name but, it is our aim too”. The school in
The child who is in PPI has diagnosed with Autism. The parents have already discussed the issue with the school principal and Director. Inspite of knowing the school wanted to increase the strength and repetitive asked the parents to pay the fees earliest and block the seat for the child in school. The parents have paid the fees in April and secured the seat.
If somebody sees the prospectus it is designed with fake photos from google image and designed on international standards. In prospectus so many fake promises and commitments are done. But, on the other hand it is a small building with poor ventilated class rooms. No where, in the school prospectus, the actual standards of the school are mentioned. All 10-12 pages of prospectus are filled with fancy and promising words which actually don’t mean anything for any one.
Isn’t so sad? Where should those parents go? It is already a financial burden for a parent to bring up a child with disability and on the top if schools act like this, further add on the psychological distress. What about these schools that don’t even bother to implement the Laws and Policy.
Posted byNeeti at 10:33 PM 3 comments
Labels: advocacy, autism, awareness, child disability, early intervention, education, Experiences, parenting tips
Barrier Free Environment
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
PWD Act 1995 has mentioned a separate chapter VIII for Non-Discrimation. It is clearly mentioned that the Public transport, hospitals, PHC’s, buildings, traffic signals, and railway pavements should be provided with ramps and engraved pavements, and elevators should have auditory signals or Braille signs To ensure that rural infrastructure too becomes disabled friendly, 3% budget under Rural Development schemes has been earmarked by Govt. of India. But the fact remains that most of the States have failed to extract any benefit out of the allocated budget for this purpose leaving Indian villages in a state they were before introduction of schemes. Hence, inspite of various policies, laws, rules and regulations, little compliance has been noticed. Laws don’t change the mindset.
Most of the public centers, parks, toilets, transport systems, traffic lights and parking space are not being designed disabled-friendly. As disability doesn’t see the caste and religion; similarly the facilities at worship places also don’t like to make difference in between non-disabled and disabled. The temples, churches etc have not being designed to welcome disabled. Hyderabad, the one of cosmopolitan city which had been grown a lot in last couple of years in all areas like infrastructure, hospitality, medical and technical areas. But, still if we talk about the major centers like Central, City center shopping malls etc do not even posses a ramp. Moreover, Big bazar and in other bigger centers either lifts are not available or don’t provide the accessibility to all the floors. The elevators are too congested and serve so many people that they are always stuffed and there is a long queue, even for getting chance into the lift. There is no reserved place for the vehicle parking for the disabled. Most of the bus and auto stands do not have a fixed place. The buses do stop some 100 mts away from the stands. It is hard for the disabled person to access the public building as well as public transport. A tourist place Taramati Baradari, which is situated some 50 mts up from the ground and has steep stairs without any railings and supports. There how can one let all the community members to access its beauty. Now it is not just the matter of disabled but it is also hard for pregnant women, patients recovering from ailments, a heart patient, an old man or parents with small children. The parents of the disabled children are equally sufferer as the handicapped children. The roads in the markets and the corridors of the malls and other public buildings are covered by roadside shopkeepers and other stalls that, for wheel chair mobility no space left. Since, there’s no availability of the ramps for the wheel chair so they have to carry their child on themselves. This way, it troubles both the parents as well as child. This is not the matter of state and city. It is the matter of our perception. Sometimes it is hard to bring change in already existing places but atleast we can design the new things, welcoming for everyone. This is not to argue for change for everything but keeping these things in eyes, we can atleast design the new building as user friendly.
The good news is that the Archaeological Survey of India has now made it mandatory to ensure disabled-friendly access at all sites and monuments maintained by it. The Marjala Model - a City for All, the first city of Finland in world which is being design in such a way that it is accessible to all. Here all dwellings, all shared facilities and all connecting routes have been designed so as to allow barrier-free access and mobility, also for the inhabitants with impaired vision, mobility or any other disability. A little modification and sensible approach for the upcoming projects can really make a difference. In this way we achieve the goal of full participation and equality of disabled persons in all aspects of mainstream. The improvements in the creation of barrier free built environment have the potential of providing good education, better job opportunities and better social and cultural integration. Therefore, it is hoped that the future will hold a better deal for Indians with disabilities.
Posted byNeeti at 12:47 AM 0 comments
Labels: Experiences
A visit to Zoo with Sri Vidhya's centre
Sunday, March 23, 2008
On the beautiful morning of 22nd March 2008; Satyam foundation with the Sakshum volunteers took the children with special need of Sri Vidhya’s centre for the special children to Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad. The outing was planned for the children as an experience of outside world and a real encounter with the wild life for the recreation and enjoyment.
Sri Vidhya’s centre for the special need children is a special school with the residential facilities for the mentally challenged children of varying age. No matter what caste, background and religion all children are treated same and being trained for their independence so that at their age, they can be included in society. From 1999, the centre is serving for the special need children and got an excellence in handling and training them. Started from the 8 children now the centre is catering the needs of nearly 70 children, out of them few are orphans. Many of children are getting services without any cost that otherwise never could access to such facilities. The staff is trained and dedicated with a soft heart approach. So for some children it is the way of fulfilling their dreams or for few it is their home.
The day started with the welcome to the volunteers in the school campus. Along with the good morning wishes, hot and delicious idlies were served. The bus started with the children, teachers and caretakers to the zoo. Two special guest were also their who were working with the centre and making a documentary with these children. The children sang songs and played Antakashri and enjoyed the journey. The bus reached to the zoo on time. The children were divided into few groups with volunteers and teachers. The children started enjoying the zoo with big tortoises who were enjoying their food. Later they saw the turtles, crocodiles, colourful fishes and water snakes in the ponds. In bird section they enjoyed the national animal, the peacock who was dancing as weather was cloudy. Few children enjoyed the monkeys who were jumping from one tree to other. Later the children and other volunteers enjoyed the train ride, which covered the rest of the zoo. We all enjoyed seeing the white tiger, lion, deer, bear, parrots, elephant etc. At 2 pm it was the time for the lunch. Later we played in the park and enjoyed the rides. In evening we all said bye to the children and thanked to the school for providing the opportunity to enjoy our day with children.
Indeed it was a beautiful and educational day. The children learnt a lot about animals and enjoyed the day. All the volunteers were happy to interact with the children who made their day. Special thanks to SATYAM Foundation, Sri Vidhya Centre, children and other volunteers to make the event memorable.
Dr Neeti Sharma
Posted byNeeti at 8:21 PM 1 comments
Labels: Experiences
A Visit to Sishu Vihar
Monday, January 14, 2008
Well, this was a pretty good experience to visit Sishu vihar, an AP State govt. funded and managed home for abandoned children. It's located in Yosoufguda, Hyderabad. Currently, it is supporting 200 kids out of which around 70 are normal children, rest are suffering from diseases like HIV+, hepatitis B some with mental retardation. These children age varies from 0-6 years. The children are mostly handed over by Police picked from stations, dustbins etc. (well that's painful).
The home was very well managed by the staff (sincerely speaking one of the rarest places I ever found, so well maintained by govt in India). Me and my friend Ajeet Bansal( another Sakshum volunteer) visited inside to the home where children sleep, study and have their food. Although, the visitors were not allowed inside places but the caretaker was a little courteous and gave us a orientation. I wish I could paste a pic of cute kids here (but clicking pics were not allowed)...
There, we asked for any kind of fundamental need which Sakshum volunteers can help out. Care taker replied us nothing required, as such as govt had funded it well. They had sufficient money, infrastructure and staff for helping out kids. So, we finally decided to organize a small art and craft workshop on one of the coming weekends. We found two computers too but there was no one to teach to children (I wish if someone can helpout). We stayed there almost an hour (which earlier we thought that it would be a max 15 min meeting). We talked a lot about the future of the kids and their day to day routine activities. We came to know that kids who were normal could be adopted by parents/couples so that there lives could be filled full of colors.
As a process, couples who wants to adopt should apply to Sishu Vihar with an application form. Once the application is accepted, a social worker visits to the home of the couple for accessing the home environment for the suitablity of the adoption. After the approval of the social worker, if the couple are willing to adopt a kid among those who are already there then they can ask for it and it takes less time. But, if they can not fine a kid as per their expectation then their name is registered to a waiting list. They are informed once the child is available.
Overall it was a great experience and we found a channel from where the couple can look for adoption of a kid.
For further queries, please communicate to Sishu vihar or to Sakshum (www.sakshum.com) at info@sakshum.com
Posted byNeeti at 7:08 PM 3 comments
Labels: Experiences
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
3 jolly Santas and 2 beautiful fairies in an open lorry were blessing every body and saying “God Bless You My Child”. These were the words the Hyderabad was listening through out the day on 23rd Dec 2007. Satyam Foundation planned the celebration of Christmas with the help of volunteers from the Satyam Corporation, Sakshum, Husys and few other college students with some NGO’s working for the children.
The troop reached to its first destination, the Sidur. Sidur is a NGO which catered the needs of street children. There were 40 children who were either orphan or abandoned or were from Sex workers. The NGO provided them the basic education and social skills and help for their better adaptation into the society. The Sidur’s Children showed their skills and 2 very entertaining dances. The Santa and Angels distributed chocolates and Cakes to them. The Santas entertained the children by cracking jokes and saying “ Ho Ho Ho”.
The next 2 destinations were different and they were the correctional homes for juvenile delinquent. The children in these centers were brought from other states too. However, they were kept under four walled but basic facilities were being provided. Few children were learning dance where as few others were learning the skating. They were counseled there for improving their adaptive behavior and provided with all basic education. The staff also provided some vocational training to these children according to their capabilities as this helped them to earn their bread and butter after their release from the center. Children enjoyed Christmas cake and were delighted to see Santa and Fairies.
After a delicious lunch in Swagath we stepped ahead to other NGO SIRIA, mainly for girls orphans. The place was packed with love, care, and discipline. The building was small but the NGO work made it large as the space was being utilized perfectly for classes and their residence. The girls enjoyed the rides on Santa’s shoulder and carols singing.
The another NGO’s in the area of Secunderabad, worked with the help of ILO enforcement team for the street children. The NGO provided the children who are either abandoned or orphan with the basic knowledge and help them to integrate into Govt Schools for further studies. The children were allowed to stay in the NGO’s premises till they would be 18.
On the way to NGO’s the Santas, fairies and volunteers were distributing the chocolates and blessing the crowd. The crowd also enjoyed seeing Santa and Fairies and asked for blessings by themselves. It was a fun for common children to see Santa on the road.
All the volunteers were delighted to see the smiling faces of the children and dedicated work of the Satyam foundation and the NGO’s. The celebrations were beyond all religion and caste. The only relation that existed in between the children and us was of Humanity, the preachings of The Bible.
Special thanks for the Satyam Foundation and dedicated volunteers from Satyam, Sakshum, Husys and other kids.
Please check out the pics and funny videos at http://www.sakshum.in/Videos.html
Posted byNeeti at 10:27 PM 1 comments
Labels: celebrations, Experiences
Visit to Don Bosco Transit Home
Sunday, October 21, 2007
The Staff was welcoming and kids were little more. All welcomed us by waving and shaking hands. In another few minutes the youngest kid was there in my arms and others surrounded us. There were few rounds of games conducted by Satprakash, Janish, Ajay from Satyam Foundation and Vik (Vivek) from Oracle India. The environment was full of fun and energy that we all mingled well and started enjoying our childhood. Since it was a Saturday so as per schedule all kids were waiting for their saturday surprise.
It was the weekly movie...they waited eagerly. After the session of games they had lunch and they were well organised that we all were really surprized. In the end we distributed sweets and in returns we got lots of thanks and smiles. Finally, we said bye to all. They were happy and in return they promised that they would do well in their exams and come up with flying colors.
It is not an easy job to teach the lesson for being good citizen and bring back them to rehabilitative life as it is not easy to live a life that is bound with some rules and guided by social norms. Here i would like to appreciate the patient, dedicated and trained staff ,who made it possible. There were few success stories who are rehabilitated and pursuing their higher education like engineering and MBA. One was Mr Vasu who is now a care taker and a Dance teacher at Don Bosco. He was feeling proud being the first kid from Don Bosco Transit Home.
The children and enviroment made my day.......
Dr. Neeti Sharma
Few moments we captured are:
Posted byNeeti at 12:40 PM 3 comments
Labels: Experiences
