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Peace through Art
an article by Parvathy Viswanath,Founder - AIKYA
"Let us appreciate that people are different and have different abilities and each one has something to contribute to the community"
September 1989 saw the birth of AIKYA Recreation Centre in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. It was set up to integrate Special Children with the neuro typical Children. The centre first functioned once a week. With in four months, in January 1990, a regular Day Care Centre (Special School) was established. Parents of babies from 3 months age are trained at AIKYA and programmes are charted out for them to carry out on their own at home. Progress of these babies is evaluated and further programming is given subsequently every two months.
AIKYA trains infants and toddlers through its Early Intervention outreach programme. AIKYA trains students with ADHD, Autism Down Syndrome and Learning Disabilities. Some of the programmes are Early Intervention programme for children (0-3years),.Special Education for children of 3 to 17 years,Vocational training and work center for young Adults,Computer,Sports and Recreation center, Training in music, dance and yoga, Counseling and training for parents and teachers, Short term training courses for parents and dedicated workers, Speech, occupation and physio therapy, sensory Integration and play therapy, Music, dance, yoga and keyboard training, National open School programme and Remedial education for mainstream students.
AIKYA is also involved very actively is conducting seminars/workshops for dedicated workers/parents to equip the trainee in effectively handling special children. Field placement of postgraduate students of psychology of reputed colleges in chennai is also a regular feature at AIKYA.
To create awareness among the public, AIKYA has produced a number of video films on mental disabilities. They have been well received at the national levels and international conferences. AIKYA has also produced and marketed 'AIKYA Greeting Cards' and products made by young adults with special needs.
AIKYA would like to network with like minded organisations. The philosophy of AIKYA is explained in the accompanying discussion and on the Internet at www.aikya.org.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
Children with disabilities, How can they contribute to the community?
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LATEST READER COMMENT:
The philosophy behind the AIKYA Recreation Centre is explained as follows by its founder, Parvathy Viswanath:
Children with disabilities, because of their unique emotional and psycho-educational needs, stimulate the creative talents of parents, teachers and professionals who work with them.
Art as a therapy is used as a medium to help the child express his innermost thoughts and feelings. Usually the art therapist lets the child express his creativeness uninhibitedly by making the environment as non-threatening and safe as possible. The child is encouraged to let his guard down and empower himself through self-exploration and interpretation. There are no fixed standards or goals, nor are there models, rules or standards. The emphasis is on the process and not on the end product. The therapist acts as a facilitator and does not expect the child to adapt to a given environment. Instead the environment is brought to the child. . ...more.
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