THE AUTISM NEWSLETTER

January, 2020

Director’s Message
As we begin a new year, it is time to evaluate and assess the year gone by, act on our learnings and work with vigour and resolve in realising our vision for CADRRE. CADRRE was set up to provide the best possible services for children on the spectrum and to be transparent in its activities so that parents and caregivers are not in the dark
about their child’s progress. We are the first school in Kerala to offer an individualised program with focus on academics, along with therapy and life skills exclusively for students on the Autism spectrum.At CADRRE we empower families to be the primary therapist, which we believe can be achieved through a strong symbiotic relationship between the parents and the team at CADRRE.Last three years and the milestones that we have achieved sofartestifies to the cooperation and trust shown by the parents.I hope we continue this synergy in achieving the transformation that we seek within our children and our community.My gratitude to our donor patrons Sun Tec Business Solutions, UST Global & advisory board members, for their continued support.

– G. Vijaya Raghavan,Hon. Director, CADRRE

 

Parent Meeting
at CADRRE

Autism presents itself in so many different ways and every child with Autism is different. The complexities around presentations are compounded when a child experiences severe forms of Autism. The presentation of severe behaviours related to Autism puts enormous pressure on the child, parents, siblings and the larger family. We see families pushed to a breaking point on a daily basis, and we feel it is our duty as a specialist institution in the field to do as much as we possibly can to support the families in dire need of guidance and support. Parents meeting was held at CADRRE on the 14th of December 2019. Hon. Director, G Vijaya Raghavan addressed the gathering on how every child with Autism is unique and that it is imperative to devise solutions that work for an individual child.
He urged parents to think beyond conventional methodologies and to be open towards evidence-based interventions that may not always conform with our expectations. If you realise that a child is unable to carry out a task or develop a skill, parents should be willing to pursue an alternative method for achieving the goal. When a non-verbal child does not show significant development in speech inspite of repeated speech and language stimulation, the child should be started on AAC to help him/her communicate rather than place undue emphasis on talk.
Mr. Raghavan also stressed on the need for parents to be active participants in following up on the intervention programmes at school and have the child practise it at home as well to ensure better progress.
 

Christmas
at CADRRE
Christmas came early to CADRRE. With a beautifully adorned Christmas tree and a bubbly snowman creatively made out of OT balls, a festive mood set in at CADRRE. December was an engaging month with the children at CADRRE practising their dance performances, skit, songs and more.Christmas was celeberated on the 19th of December with children dressed in the season’s best red and green colours. Teachers also joined in with their group songs and dance performances. Remembering the spirit of sharing and giving, the traditional game of the season, Secret Santa was played, gifting moments of excitement and thrill to all members of CADRRE team. Children posed for pictures with handmade Christmas frames and enjoyed performances by their friends and teachers, marking a merry start to their Christmas vacations.



WOW! Moments

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.

 
 

Communication is an area where most students on the Autism spectrum struggle immensely. Most often they are unable to understand the verbal cues of communication and gesture. For many children on the spectrum, visual communication works better.One of our students would cry uncontrollably very often as he was never able to communicate his need or concern verbally even after repeated speech and language stimulation. But the teacher started communicating on a regular basis with phrases such as ‘I want ___’, ‘finish’, ‘start’ etc. and made it a point to carry out every activity with such cues. After few weeks of constant effort, the child said “finish” after having his lunch on his own, without any prompt or cue. The day will remain a memorable one, as the persistent efforts of the teachers paid off and he started expressing himself, relieving the child and his family from a lot of stress.

 

ART Corner

Each artwork is the expression of students from across grades. The children are guided by the teachers to imagine and explore different media through art.

 

 

  

 

Thought for the month

 

By holding the highest vision for your child when they cannot see it for themselves, you are lifting them up, elevating them and
helping them to soar.” – Megan Koufos