Study Skills
13th January, 2019
SERPA started the year with our very first online session for students by a student. Aditya Kolisetti, a grade 11 student took us through the definition of study skills, the main components to consider when studying ( Intent, Content, Technique and Schedule). Sharing of applicable practical tips were shared. The session also was interactive and that made it all the more interesting.
Syllabication
26th January 2019
SERPA conducted a session on ‘Syllabication’ for teachers and special educators. It was presented by Ms. Jayasree Venkatesh, Educational Therapist, Mediator and Special Educator. The webinar was attended by 42 participants.
The session addressed one of the main areas that concern teachers when it comes to reading and spelling. The session was interlaced with activities and tips for classroom practice which helped drive home the concept.
Interview with RCI
3rd March 2019
This was one of the special and important sessions organised by SERPA for the special education and rehabilitation community. The session was an out and out interactive one with participants asking questions and seeking clarifications from Dr. Subodh Kumar, Member Secretary, RCI & Secretary, National Board of Examination in Rehabilitation (NBER). Dr. Subodh Kumar being a very senior academician and administrator with deep experience in the disability Sector and having been actively involved in formulation & implementation of policies related to Human Resource Development in the field of Special Education & Disability Rehabilitation, as per the mandate of the RCI Act, 1992 was the perfect person for us to interact with.
“Healing through animals: An Introduction to Animal Assisted Therapy”
17 March 2019
Ms. Subhadra Cherukuri, Ms. Unnati Hunjan Ms.Rachel Isaac provided an introduction to animal assisted therapy. The main topics covered were – Animal Assisted Intervention, The different perspectives of AAT, Case Studies and the constitution of an AAT team.
Animal assisted Intervention is the use of animals in improvement of general health and well-being of the individuals. It is especially effective in dealing with depression, stress, anxiety and learning delays. Activities are designed to work with children/ people with various challenges including – ASD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Post- traumatic Stress Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord injuries, Strokes and Delayed development of motor skills. There are activities to improve balance, endurance, Fine motor and gross motor development, Improvement in cognition/ memory and problem solving, Sensory stimulation and Improvement in speech and reading skills
Arts Based Therapy – An Introduction
20th April 2019
SERPA brought to the forum yet another interesting and important therapy through this session. Ms. Gitanjali Sarangan took the participants Arts Based Therapy and its effectiveness. The session spoke about evidence based use of multi-art forms that may be used in a therapeutic relationship with the child. It also touched upon empowering oneself through Mindfulness, Reasoning, Self Awareness. The Domains that are addressed using ABT include Body, Attention, Cognition, Social domain, Narrative and Expressive capabilities. It was interesting to know about how visual arts, rhythm, stories, theatre, puppetry etc can be therapeutic and help children.
VISUAL ARTS
18th May 2019
SERPA conducted a session on ‘Visual Arts for for teachers/ special educators/parents. The session was presented by Ms. Anajanadevi Badrinath and was attended by over 20 participants. It hit the spot when the session began with a quote by Tolstoy on Art. It is important for people who work with children to be aware of the various things that can help the children we work with. It was nice to know what Visual Art is and how it is different from Crafts. It was nice to understand how an IEP is planned and how to use art to remediate. The sharing of case study and videos were helpful.
Humdrum
8th June 2019
SERPA conducted an interactive online session for special educators & parents of children with special needs, a one of a kind session which helps communicate and bond with children, especially non verbal. Who needs words when actions can speak? This session was an answer to the question “ How do I interact / engage with this child who won’t talk?”. The presenter Mr. Rzhude blew our mind with the program that he had devised along with a child on the spectrum. It was yet another session that left the participants in awe.
Vision Therapy
24th November 2019
Ms. Rekha Chalapathy took the participants through Vision therapy – something that was an “eye opener” for many who had heard about it for the first time! Vision therapy is a top down approach where the work starts from the brain. We see behaviours like rocking back and forth while reading , side vision, reading difficulties, difficulties in sports – like catching the ball, visual organisation in depth perception, difficulty in copying from the board, running into things etc in some of the children we work with. It was wonderful to connect the dots and understand why these behaviours manifest.