SETHU TRUST

Sethu receives referrals for children from various parts of Goa, each with unique backgrounds. To comprehend the child and their family dynamics, a thorough evaluation is conducted by the developmental paediatrician or psychologist. This evaluation includes a comprehensive history-taking process and an assessment covering developmental, behavioural, and emotional aspects.
The significance of a developmental assessment lies in:
• Early identification of potential issues
• Prompt intervention to address these challenges and prevent more severe difficulties
• Enhancing parental awareness and understanding of their child

A psycho-educational assessment is the method through which one can gain insight into how children think, interpret information from their surroundings, and perform in areas like reading, writing, and mathematics. This comprehensive process involves astute observation, dialogues with both the child and parents, collaboration with teachers, and the utilization of standardized or informal tests. The objective is to analyse the mental processes that underlie a child's educational performance.
A psycho-educational assessment comprises three types of testing:
1. Intelligence Testing: This involves the administration of a series of psychological tests to evaluate various mental functions, including reasoning, comprehension, and judgment.
2. Tests for Processing of Information: These tests assess how children recognize and process information received through various senses, particularly hearing and vision, and how they respond to it.
3. Assessment of Educational Performance: This component m

Sethus’s webinar series, 'Aarambh,' tackles the primary concerns of caregivers of children with ASD often face, offering practical solutions.

Sethu organizes a 4-session group training programme titled "From Disorder to Order" for parents of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These weekly sessions are designed to provide insights into the workings of the ADHD brain and strategies to enhance its functionality. The programme also focuses on equipping parents with effective communication techniques with their child, along with skills to create a more joyful, organized, and tranquil home environment. Each 2-hour session incorporates time for discussions, questions, practical exercises, and assigned homework.

The Program for the Evaluation and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is an intervention that involves parents and targets teenagers in middle and high school facing challenges in establishing or maintaining friendships. Developed at UCLA, PEERS concentrates on imparting social skills to teens, such as engaging in conversations, utilizing electronic communication, selecting suitable friends, managing teasing and bullying, navigating arguments and disagreements, and organizing appropriate social gatherings.
While typically developing teenagers often acquire social etiquette by observing their peers or learning from their parents, individuals with autism, ADHD, and other developmental delays often require more explicit instruction and practice to grasp social skills. The process of forming and maintaining friendships can be particularly challenging for these individuals, leading to isolation and rejection. Untreated, this difficulty in social interaction can persist into adulthood,

Sethu aspires to serve as a link connecting children with their broader communities, with schools and teachers playing a pivotal role in this nurturing network. The preschool teachers' training program, Gnyandeep, is designed to cultivate environments that support the holistic development of all children. Recognizing that children with special needs are often first identified in balwadis and preschools, Sethu made a conscious decision to focus on training teachers operating at the grassroots level, particularly in balwadis.
Since its commencement in 2015, Gnyandeep has provided comprehensive training to balwadi teachers and helpers from 26 anganwadis spanning all 12 talukas in Goa. The training imparts a thorough understanding of child development, behaviour, multiple intelligences, and common disabilities. Feedback from participants has been heartening, with teachers and helpers expressing that the training is practical and relevant.

Bridging Worlds is a podcast presented by the Mental Health Team at the Sethu Centre for Child Development in Goa. This podcast explores the known and less-explored realms of mental health and neurodiversity. This podcast will feature stories from neurodivergent young individuals, their parents, teachers, friends, and professionals. Through this series, it aims to dismantle stigma, foster discussions on mental health, and empowers young people and their families.

Regrettably, children attending Government primary schools (GPS) rarely attain the expected level of English proficiency. This lack of proficiency often leads to academic struggles and eventual dropout from school. In an effort to break this cycle of failure, the English is Fun project aims to establish a structured program for teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in government primary schools across Goa.
The project benefits from a well-stocked classroom library provided by Bookworm, an organization dedicated to cultivating a love for books among children. Since 2009, the initiative has been implemented at GPS Paithona, a single-teacher school in Bardez, Goa, where 16 students in grades 1 to 4 are enrolled. English classes are conducted twice a week, utilizing a whole language approach and a carefully designed graded literacy program that incorporates phonics, sight reading, drawing, and writing. This holistic method enables children to meaningfully learn the English language.

Following a comprehensive assessment of the children and taking into account family concerns, Sethu team formulates an intervention plan and establishes specific goals. The goal-setting process is tailored to leverage the strengths of each family and address the unique needs of the child. Sethu implements evidence-based techniques, including developmental approaches, elements of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), TEACCH, Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and Discrete Trial Training (DTT).
These techniques are strategically employed to enhance children's play skills, mitigate challenging behaviours, and improve communication and social interaction. Recognizing that these methods are accessible and not overly complex, Sethu actively involves parents and caregivers in the process.

The primary objective of Occupational Therapy is to facilitate individuals' active participation in the various aspects of everyday life to the fullest extent possible. This involves engaging in meaningful and purposeful activities, commonly referred to as 'occupations,' to empower those with limitations or impairments to reach their maximum potential. Occupational Therapists specialize in assisting children in developing skills across key areas of occupation, including self-care, school, and play, recognizing these as integral facets of a child's daily life. Through this support, Occupational Therapists indirectly contribute to the enhancement of children's confidence, self-esteem, social skills, and overall well-being.

At Sethu, children are recommended for occupational therapy services in cases involving:

* Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD)
* Dyspraxia
* Autism Spectrum Disorder
* Auditory Processing Difficulties
* Sensory Integration Dysfunction
* Developmental Delay

Individuals with learning difficulties and developmental disabilities can encounter similar mental and emotional challenges as others. However, they may be less equipped and supported in addressing these difficulties. For instance, grappling with anxiety becomes challenging when one lacks the vocabulary to articulate their experiences.
Challenging behaviours, often rooted in a purpose or reason, require exploration by assessing the entire individual. This involves considering their abilities, skills, deficits, preferences, family background, health, and coping mechanisms. Professionals involved in the process determine the function the challenging behaviour serves. Subsequently, a support plan is devised.
The mantra "Happy people tend not to challenge" guides this approach. By identifying what brings joy to the individual and incorporating those elements into their lives, the incidence of challenging behaviours can decrease. This process involves setting realistic goals, with the aim o