Enhancing the Life Skills and Ensuring Sustainable Development of Children with Special Needs under Institutional Care and Support

Cuddalore district in TamilNadu, is one of the most backward coastal area having a high density of slum population. Natural calamities and polluted environment are being the main factor for poverty and poor health status including birth with disability. The Disability population is higher and as per the census of 2011 the district fall in tenth place in the state. The present district disabled population is 55912. Amongst Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are major portion i.e. 10767. Disability is becoming a challenging issue for inclusive development.

The birth rate of Children with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities is in progressive way and the number has also been increased year by year. Obliviously Disabled Children are the most vulnerable group and need special attention. They have to be ensured right care and protection, good environment and access to education, health, vocational training along with specialized rehabilitation service. Thus Disabled Children age group 6 to 18 is under urgent need of care and support to improve their health condition, physical functions including Actual Daily Living skills. But Poverty and inaccessibility of rehabilitation services are forced them to becoming idle, more dependent and consequently they are treated as socially excluded and unproductive lives.

Institutional Based Rehabilitation service is one of the effective service modal proved for tangible rehabilitation service to Children with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities by where they can get intensive care and support at all levels. Moreover this supporting system is a pathway for enhancing overall physical and mental health of them in better way. On this concept Global Special School is rendering réhabilitation service to 130 Children in holistic way.

The Special Education curriculum is designed with IQ level assessment by using proper check lists. Participatory Learning teaching method with Individualized Education Program (IEP) is adopted to improve the Motor skills, Academic skills, Social skills and Domestic activities of the children. Special attention is also given to enhance the peer group involvement and self learning habits with interpersonal motivational approach. Pictorial posters, Toys and Play materials are also provided to improve their life skills. However the existing rehabilitation service has to be required to strengthen further by adopting of innovative teaching tool, smart class provision, specialized therapy unit with sensory park, advanced equipments for speech and language, occupational skills and physiotherapy.

The project aims to improve the existing modal to ensure the betterment of Children with special needs and to enhance their life skills in sustainable way.

·        The life Skills of 130 enrolled Children will be in better way as they will take care of their actual daily living activities by their own

·        Motor Skills of Children with Cerebral Palsy will be in better level through Advanced Physiotherapy intervention tools and devices.

·        Participation in Social activities will be in better way at all levels as they will take part in housekeeping, gardening, peers activity and etc.

·        Sensory skills, Speech and Language and Behavioral Modification of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders will be enhanced.

·        Adult youths will become a productive member through opted vocational training and they will become supporter of their family through self/supported employment.

·        The health status of Children will be improved through proper diet and supplementary food system.