An Integrated Specialty Center for Children With Special Needs (CWSN)

Children with Special Needs : In most parts of India, irrespective of state, region or religion the disgrace of giving birth to a CWSNs (disabled child) is unanimous. Despite modern human rights attitudes, the idea that a CWSNs is the result of the anger of gods, or ancestors, the embodiment of sin in the family or of sin itself, is widely prevalent. Parents of these children also feel guilt and sometimes take the blame for the impairment on themselves. Families, communities and the medical profession often do not help to alleviate this guilt by their attitude to the baby and to the parents, calling the child a 'vegetable', 'useless', or 'a burden'. Inevitably this stigma and guilt result in isolation or segregation of the child.

Consequently, children with Special Needs are amongst the most marginalized sections of society in India. While in the last decade and a half, there has been a growing awareness and several significant achievements, a large number of these children still live in alienation and isolation. Added to this is the fact that most rehabilitation services are either unavailable or beyond the reach of families belonging to the lower strata of society. Due to the stigma and stereotyping of CWSNs the initial years are spent by families in trying to cure the child’s condition, when all their efforts have failed by running from one specialist who promises cure to a quack who promises a miracle to happen on full moon days to a therapist who can provide quick results eventually having exhausted all their financial capabilities, reconcile to the verdict by Doctors & other professionals that their Children is useless and leave the child unattended and uncared in a corner of the house. The fragmented rehabilitation system also means that parents are left to choose between either medical, theraputic or special education intervention programmes rather than an Integrated programme where all the necessary intervention programmes are avaiable under one roof.


WHAT WE DO ?

SATYA SPECIAL SCHOOL – an integrated speciality center for CWSNs is changing the current fragmented rehabilitation process. Any child with a special need be it physical, mental or multiple disability from as young as 11 months to 15 years is provided an Individual Intervention programme. A multi speciality team consisting of a Psychologist, Physiotherapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, special educator and a social worker analyse the child’s living conditions, physical needs, emotional needs, family circumstances etc. and draw up a plan with long term and short term goals. Every quater the team meets to discuss the progress made and also plan for the child’s future development.

Started in 2003, with 20 children and 5 staff in Pondicherry, today Satya caters to 175 children with various special needs like mental retardation, autism, Downs syndrome, cerebral plasy, learning difficulties and multiple disability. It provides all the needed therapuitc services, medical interventions, psychological and functional academics in order to make the CWSN as independent and acceptable by society. Satya is the only center in Pondicherry providing the services to any CWSNs irrspective of their level of disability or socio economic conditions there by providing even the severely challenged child an opportunity to lead a near normal life. One of the most important aspect of the programme is the involvement of the Mother as a co-therapist in order to facilitate a home based programme. This not only helps build a bond between the family and the child but also helps in uniformity of intervention services and the much needed follow up at the home front.

In a country like India, not only medical services but also theraputic services are out of reach for the lower strata of the population. Theraputic services like physio, speech, occupational, hydro therapy are considered eletist and out of the reach for the underpriviledged. Added to this is the lack of availabilty of qualified human resources such as special educators and psychologist making rehabilitation services in Pondicherry lag atleast two decades behind compared to metro cities of India.

Through the integrated center, all the needed services are provided free to any disabled child in Pondicherry irrespective of their socio economic conditons.

More details on our activities can be had by visiting our website : www.satyaspecialschool.org







IMPACT OF OUR PROJECT :

Through an individualised rehabilitation programme each of the 175 children has made remarkable improvment – some in their ability to walk, some others through their speech development programmes, some through the usegae of music, arts or dance to display their capabilities. One of our special child has even represented Team India as a Special athlete in the recently concluded Summer Special Olympics at Athens, Greece.

Two of our special children are breaking all barriers and appearing for their 10th Standard board exams. They will be writing these exams along side their counterparts under the regular school programme. Many more would follow their footsteps by appearing in their 8th & 10th Std exams respectively in the next academic year 2012-13.

12 children from the Early Inetrvention programme have qualified for admission into mainstream schools this year. While they do visit the center for follow up, these children are making social inclusion a reality. These are brave children who have over come their disbailities and have been trained to lead independent lives. From our Vocational Training centers 5 adult disabled who were trained in Tailoring, carpentry & pritning have found jobs in local industries. From being a burden these adults have become earning members and contribute to the family’s financial resources.


Our Vision is to

Change the current fragmented rehabilitation system into an Integrated holistic rehabilitation system dedicated at improving the lives of intellectually disabled children through individual specialized training there by making social inclusion a reality. We believe in Transperacy, Professionalism, dedication and Charity with Dignity.