Providing Special Education to the Underprivileged Children with Autism

Every child is unique and different. They have different abilities hence, learn in different ways and at different paces. All learners have a right to education regardless of their individual characteristics or difficulties. Children who cannot access the right classes are often unable to receive adequate education due to a mismatch between their unique needs and the regular education system. A majority of children with special needs are deprived of education, in spite of the practice of inclusive education in schools.

Education for all,continues to be an unresolved issue in India. While this is mandated by the law and considered as a basic human right, millions of children with disabilities continue to receive little or no education. 

To address this issue, educational programs offered at AFA stem from the broad definition of education. The goal of our program is to help the child with autism learn to the best of his/her abilities, building on the strengths and working on the difficulties. The focus of the teaching is multi-dimensional and encompasses all important skill areas. 

At AFA individualised intervention program provides education that is especially designed for the children with autism who require specific teaching approaches, care and methods.

The program starts with an initial assessment of the child. Based on the child’s strengths, behaviours, learning patterns, and the teaching and learning methods best suited to him/her, an individualized educational plan is made keeping in mind the child’s current  needs as well as the parents’ immediate concerns.

This specially designed program allow the students to enjoy education and gain confidence due to individualised teaching. The individualised program focuses on the teaching strategies that overpower the disadvantages of their disability and help the children to get quality education. 

The intervention program follows various internationally recognised teaching methods like structure teaching, verbal behavioural analysis, applied behavioural analysis, social stories etc. The methodology assures that each child’s special needs are met and academic potentials are developed along with their social, emotional and physical potential, as they are interdependent aspects of a child’s development.

This program provides lifelong benefits to the beneficiaries including

·       Academic gains

·       Effective communication skills 

·       Enhanced social skills

·       Practical and helpful daily life skills 

·       Managing healthy relationship building