The Learning centre - Special needs

The Learning centre - Special needs

Our Learning Centre caters to children having severe learning difficulties in area such as
Autism , a developmental disability affecting social interaction, communication and imaginative play. Usually detected prior to age 3, children display stereotyped behaviour, interests and activities. This disability adversely affects education.
Aspergers , a developmental disability affecting social interactions. The child has restricted interests and activities. These children are tested in the range of average to above average intelligence. Slow Learners, possess normal dexterity but their overall development is slow or impaired and they lack normal ability for schoolwork. They lack in social skills and have a very low self-esteem because of their challenge.

Sankalp - The Learning centre
1060, H- Block, 25th Street, Pooni Colony
Anna Nagar (West), Chennai - 600 040.
Off: 044-42113947, 42170947

What we do for autistic children

There is no cure for autism. But treatment may reduce symptoms and help autistic children function better. Treatments include Sensory Integration by occupational therapy, Education program, communication, behaviour therapy and other eclectic (diverse) methods.
Sensory Integration and occupational therapy aim to enhance neuro-development, cognitive, perceptual, motor abilities and psychomotor functioning. The child by developing skills through play and assisted training in an OT centre learns to cope with the motor, visual-perceptual and cognitive challenges. (See section on occupational therapy in this site)
An education program will depend on the student?s level of disability and instruction. These center on developing communication, socialization, or daily living skills. Other eclectic(diverse) approaches cover:
- Behaviour modification
- Picture communication
- Social stories
- Music
- Art and craft
- Play
- Skating
- Cooking
- Relaxation therapy using Yoga
Each child is assessed for individual needs and a holistic program is designed, delivered and monitored by a team of special educators and trained support personnel.

Sensory Integration
Physio-therapy and occupational therapy are not the same, although both types of therapy help children improve the quality of their lives, there are significant differences. Physical therapy deals with the issues of pain, strength, joint range of motion, endurance, and gross motor functioning, whereas occupational therapy deals with fine motor skills, visual-perceptual skills, strength, cognitive skills, and sensory-processing deficits.
Picture of OT a flash file to be embedded
Pictures will be given

Education program for the Autistic

An education program will depend on the student's level of disability. Instruction may center on developing communication, socialization, or daily living skills.
Students receive services in regular classes in the schools and attend part time remediation in Sankalp, learning centre which is a special needs school.

Other eclectic (diverse) approaches
Behaviour modification - involves analyzing the cause of an undesirable behavior, then using rewards and restraint or other approaches to replace the behavior with a more appropriate response.

Picture communication have been used since the mid-1980s, supported by the insights that people with autism think in pictures rather than words and so might learn better with visual cues than with spoken language. Also known as Picture Exchange Communication Symbols (PECS), these are stylized drawings--of everyday objects, activities and even relationships and feelings--that may be used to prompt steps in a complex task or to offer options among which choices may be made.

Social stories - help children with autism to read, rehearse, and write in advance what to expect in social situations. Social stories can help persons with autism to become more independent in routines, and to know how to do an activity, how to ask for help, and how to respond appropriately to feelings of anger and frustration.

Music has a therapeutic value and can make a difference in the lives of people by enhancing the quality of life and the psychological, physical, cognitive and social functioning. Music is nonverbal, not threatening, immediate in time, and naturally motivating and reinforcing. Music therapy facilitates the creative process of moving towards wholeness in the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self in areas such as: independence, freedom to change, adaptability, balance and integration... As the musical elements of rhythm, melody and harmony are elaborated across time, the therapist and client can develop relationships which optimize the quality of life.

Art and craft can be used as a form of psychotherapy that utilizes art materials and the processes involved in making art. Art therapists have been working with children and adults since autism was first recognized?to help them overcome their isolation by progressing developmentally, finding ways of coping, and gaining a sense of self and relatedness to the world. Art materials that have tactile and sensory qualities help to make some sense of their experiences and to develop confidence and self-esteem.

Relaxation therapy using Yoga helps to relax and stay calm. These can help at any time of day, especially in preparing to meet situations that are stressful. Ways of relaxing may be especially important in preparing for sleep. It is estimated that 50 to 75 percent of people with autism have sleep disorders. Conventional drugs may not help, because of the paradoxical reactions of many people with autism. Some have found the hormone melatonin helpful. Auto suggestive relaxation as per Yoga practices are helpful.

Play, Skating, Cooking These methods help the children engage in activities that hold interests and also develop coordination, patience , organization and planning skills. Skating reinforces the importance of balance. Cooking done in a play way manner helps them taste the success of their effort and earn appreciation which increases the self worth.