Our Programs
Early Intervention, Outreach Programme & more
Early Intervention & Outreach Programme
The “ Early Intervention & Outreach Programme” was
adopted in 1991. Training is extended to the lower age group and to infants, even as early as the newborn period. Either the mothers bring the infants on fixed days, or the teachers outreach them and offer counseling and demonstration of early intervention and stimulation technique.
Basic Training
Basic training in “Ashrayam” includes the teaching of basic self care skills such as cleaning of
teeth, toilet training and elementary hygiene. This is followed by training in social behavior and interaction using behavior modification techniques that include mild symbolic punishment for misbehavior and simple token gifts as rewards for good behavior.
Academic Education
Basic training is followed by conventional academic education which is given only in the measure of it’s capacity to be absorbed. This, of course, varies with each individual child.
The gained skills considered acceptable are simple readings and writing, speech and language at minimum levels required for essential communication, and free locomotion that includes ordinary concepts of road safety.
Song, music and dance are also taught with comparative ease as most of them are capable of picking up tune and rhythm.
Physical training and Physiotherapy
The second stage of training includes physical training, group games, yoga
and physiotherapy sessions and these and these are interspersed with sports competitions and cultural programmes which are conducted periodically. The play ground and park have a wide range of facilities that make recreational activities a part of the overall curriculum. School day celebrations are held annually and the children look forward to this gala events. They entertain the audience with songs, music and dance, having overcome their fear of facing strangers.
Vocational Training
Once the children undergo successful training, which would be for individually varying periods,
they are offered a carefully prepared course of training in a variety of vocations and crafts depending on the individual aptitude. These vocations/crafts include such job as the production of candles, greeting cards or notebooks, sewing and weaving. Bedsheets, pillowcases, kitchen linen like aprons, gloves and the suchlike are made from the fabric woven in the weaving unit. Older and physically able children are engaged in gardening and planting, kitchen help for preparing and serving food to the children, and cleaning and maintenance of the premises.
Stationary making
The notebooks produced are stocked and sold out during the school reopening months of June-July, while the greeting cards are in good demand during the Christmas/New Year seasons. The profit realised from the sale of products is used for the purchase of raw material and the upkeep of the vocational centre.
Speech & Hearing therapy
“Ashrayam” has a Speech & Hearing unit for assessment and treatment of speech and hearing handicaps. This unit is managed by a qualified Speech Pathologist and Audiologist. Small children with hearing handicap sans mental retardation are also treated here.
Occupational Therapy
At Ashrayam Special School, we specialize in occupational therapy for children with mental handicaps. Our occupational therapy program is designed to help children develop essential life skills, such as dressing and grooming themselves, as well as improve their motor and sensory abilities. Our highly trained and experienced occupational therapists work closely with each child to develop personalized therapy plans that are tailored to their unique needs and abilities.
Yoga Sessions
Our team is passionate about creating a safe and inclusive environment for all of our students, with programs tailored to their individual needs. We offer yoga classes specifically designed for physically and mentally handicapped children, which have been shown to improve both physical and mental health.