Director’s Message
The world is going through an unprecedented crisis. I hope and trust that you and your families are doing everything at your disposal for keeping well in mind, body and spirit in these testing times. We all must unite to ensure that the COVID -19 pandemic is kept away from our families by following the health guidelines.
Despite the changed circumstances, our team at CADRRE decided to -continue to work, given the challenges that our children and families are faced with when the child’s regular routine gets affected. CADRRE team started functioning from the 16th of March 2020. We were able to plan out the weekly mentor meetings via videos calls with parents and provide daily lesson plan and activities for children. From our homes, we have been working on the yearly progress reports and IEPs of our students, and parent training via video sessions by class mentors. I hope all parents are making utmost use of these video sessions which helps them to plan their child’s day productively.
2nd April 2020 marks the thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day. The 2020 United Nations observance of the day draws attention to issues of concern related to the transition to adulthood,, access to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. In view of the ongoing lockdown, CADRRE team has been unable to execute the activities that we had envisioned for the day. But we are happy to have made progress through the year in enabling our students to be more independent. The shopping activities, mall visits, exposing them to simulated environments of a hospital or doctor visit, setting up virtual market places are all efforts targeted towards equipping them to be independent and helping them interact better with the society. We aim to have more such activities in future. There is no better way to celebrate World Autism Awareness month than by wholeheartedly accepting individuals on the spectrum for their uniqueness and by making your near and dear ones aware of the characteristics and the challenges that they face and also how all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and build an inclusive society around us.I would like to thank our donor patrons Sun Tec Business Solutions and UST Global in supporting our vision for CADRRE.
Despite the changed circumstances, our team at CADRRE decided to -continue to work, given the challenges that our children and families are faced with when the child’s regular routine gets affected. CADRRE team started functioning from the 16th of March 2020. We were able to plan out the weekly mentor meetings via videos calls with parents and provide daily lesson plan and activities for children. From our homes, we have been working on the yearly progress reports and IEPs of our students, and parent training via video sessions by class mentors. I hope all parents are making utmost use of these video sessions which helps them to plan their child’s day productively.
2nd April 2020 marks the thirteenth annual World Autism Awareness Day. The 2020 United Nations observance of the day draws attention to issues of concern related to the transition to adulthood,, access to post-secondary education, employment, and independent living. In view of the ongoing lockdown, CADRRE team has been unable to execute the activities that we had envisioned for the day. But we are happy to have made progress through the year in enabling our students to be more independent. The shopping activities, mall visits, exposing them to simulated environments of a hospital or doctor visit, setting up virtual market places are all efforts targeted towards equipping them to be independent and helping them interact better with the society. We aim to have more such activities in future. There is no better way to celebrate World Autism Awareness month than by wholeheartedly accepting individuals on the spectrum for their uniqueness and by making your near and dear ones aware of the characteristics and the challenges that they face and also how all of us can do better to increase our own understanding and build an inclusive society around us.I would like to thank our donor patrons Sun Tec Business Solutions and UST Global in supporting our vision for CADRRE.
– G. Vijaya Raghavan,Hon. Director, CADRRE
Parent Corner
No matter how small the gesture, a smile, a touch or even just a nod can make a teacher’s day! This section will highlight the best moment from a compilation of a few that are recalled by teachers every day before they begin classes.
A for Awareness
When and how did you first become aware that something was different?
He was in his own world with very poor eye contact, no words, mostly engaged in repetitive play, was interested more in objects than in people. Though I initially took this as his ” introvert nature”, by 1.5 years it was clear that he has delayed development and I need to get help.
When and how did you first become aware that something was different?
He was in his own world with very poor eye contact, no words, mostly engaged in repetitive play, was interested more in objects than in people. Though I initially took this as his ” introvert nature”, by 1.5 years it was clear that he has delayed development and I need to get help.
U for Unique
How has this experience been unique for you and your child?
Though I went through all the stages of grief as any other person would, I became a stronger person, more self confident, empowered myself to try all ways to help and support my child and never give up. Most importantly learnt to understand the world from my son’s perspective and in that process I became more empathetic.
T for Tools
What tools are there now that were not there at the beginning that could helpother parents?
There are many support groups that involve parents of older children and young adults to guide parents of young kids with Autism. There are also many parent training programs now which was absent 5 years back. We are also able to connect with more parents and professionals through social media now.
I for Inspire
As a parent, when you look at your child or children, what inspires you?
His innocence and unconditional love are something I adore in my child. Despite all his challenges, he joins me in all the activities that I plan for the day.
S is for Support
Are there things you struggle with or have struggled with and what types of support do you still need?
I feel nothing can replace the presence of your immediate family in times of stress. Shifting residences for the sake of therapies has upset that balance. Being comfortable in a social gathering is something i still struggle with.
M for Manage
What keys to success can you leave with parents so that they can better manage their day to day efforts?
Build a strong support system for yourself. Invest in your relationships and try to bring your spouse on the same page. Just doing these will make your journey easier. Empower yourself to be the best guide for your child. Spend some time everyday to pursue a hobby or interest. Try to reduce your anxiety for the future.
Dr. Gayathri S
Team CADRRE
Are there things you struggle with or have struggled with and what types of support do you still need?
I feel nothing can replace the presence of your immediate family in times of stress. Shifting residences for the sake of therapies has upset that balance. Being comfortable in a social gathering is something i still struggle with.
M for Manage
What keys to success can you leave with parents so that they can better manage their day to day efforts?
Build a strong support system for yourself. Invest in your relationships and try to bring your spouse on the same page. Just doing these will make your journey easier. Empower yourself to be the best guide for your child. Spend some time everyday to pursue a hobby or interest. Try to reduce your anxiety for the future.
Dr. Gayathri S
Team CADRRE
Dr.Gayathri with her son Nandu
CRE Program on ‘Recent Advances in AAC’
Speech language pathologists with CADRRE, Anuja Sudheer and Swathy A, were invited as resource persons for the short-term training program for rehabilitation professionals organized by the Composite Regional Center. This was a
continuing education program under the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Anuja spoke on the topic” AAC intervention strategies for children and adults with complex communication needs” and Swathy spoke on “Selection of vocabulary and symbols in AAC” .There were over a 100 participants comprising of Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Special educators.
continuing education program under the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Anuja spoke on the topic” AAC intervention strategies for children and adults with complex communication needs” and Swathy spoke on “Selection of vocabulary and symbols in AAC” .There were over a 100 participants comprising of Speech Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Special educators.
WOW! Moments
No matter how small the gesture, a smile, a touch or sometimes even just a nod can make a teacher’s day! This section will highlight the best moment from a compilation of a few that are recalled by teachers every day before they begin classes.
To bid someone goodbye is very hard, especially for teachers who share a long lasting bond with their students. Zaara, from
our juniors’ group, had to leave CADRRE since her family was relocating from Trivandrum. Zaara’s mom gave this letter to the team at CADRRE on her last day at school. All of us were overwhelmed reading the letter filled with lots of love and warmth.
ART Corner
Each artwork is the expression of students from different grades. The children are guided by the teachers to imagine and explore different media through art.
A balanced routine can be calming for your child during these uncertain times
With all of us locked up in our homes as part of the social distancing measures towards tackling the corona virus pandemic,keeping your child occupied becomes a daily struggle. Let us look at a few things that can help us in creating a constructive
routine.
Getting ready for the day: Just because they do not need to attend school does not mean that they should completely skip the daily morning routines. The more we can simulate their daily morning routine on a school-day the better, as it will give them a smooth transition to the new routine.
Setting the same meal and snack times: It is better to stick to routine food choices and make minor changes only if you have been considering making a new addition to the menu but was unable to. But it is always good to make minimal changes to their food of choice.
Emphasis on hygiene routines: Hygiene practices that you have been working on can be given more attention and it is a good time to use visual representations to teach them how to wash hands, brush hair , dress etc.
Play time: Being at home should not take away their play time. Scheduling fixed timings for play will give them something to look forward to and keep them engaged in other less fun activities, as this playtime can be used as a positive reinforcement.
Bed Time: Sticking to the same bed time is very important. Deviations from the regular schedule should be no more than a 1-hour difference. Allowing your child with Autism to get their much-needed sleep will help them ease their stress. Wake uptime can be made slightly later than usual compensating for the lack of sleep many children receive throughout the school year.
routine.
Getting ready for the day: Just because they do not need to attend school does not mean that they should completely skip the daily morning routines. The more we can simulate their daily morning routine on a school-day the better, as it will give them a smooth transition to the new routine.
Setting the same meal and snack times: It is better to stick to routine food choices and make minor changes only if you have been considering making a new addition to the menu but was unable to. But it is always good to make minimal changes to their food of choice.
Emphasis on hygiene routines: Hygiene practices that you have been working on can be given more attention and it is a good time to use visual representations to teach them how to wash hands, brush hair , dress etc.
Play time: Being at home should not take away their play time. Scheduling fixed timings for play will give them something to look forward to and keep them engaged in other less fun activities, as this playtime can be used as a positive reinforcement.
Bed Time: Sticking to the same bed time is very important. Deviations from the regular schedule should be no more than a 1-hour difference. Allowing your child with Autism to get their much-needed sleep will help them ease their stress. Wake uptime can be made slightly later than usual compensating for the lack of sleep many children receive throughout the school year.
Thought for the month
Until we create a nation that regularly wants to employ a person with autism, assure for a quality education for each person with autism, and eliminates the far too many unnecessary obstacles placed in the way of success for a person with autism, we really won’t be as successful as we must. We need to get all in our nation to embrace the belief that each person with autism is valued, respected and held to the highest level of dignity and must be provided every opportunity for the highest quality of life each and every day.”
– Scott Badesch, President – Autism Society, San Francisco Bay Area
– Scott Badesch, President – Autism Society, San Francisco Bay Area