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Tamil Nadu
Training programme for parents of children with mental disability
Staff Reporter
COIMBATORE: The Faculty of Disability Management and Special Education of the International Human Resource Development Centre at Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya has started a training programme for teachers and parents of children with mental disability.
The first session for parents was conducted at the centre recently. Attended by more than 20 parents, the training was imparted by the faculty of Ramakrishna Vidyalaya. The five-day session included detailed discussion on disability and disability management. The interactive session also enabled parents get their doubts cleared on various forms of mental disability. Some parents came out with suggestions regarding separate training programmes for specialised conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and Downs’ Syndrome, said Swami Sahanananda, Assistant Administrative Head.
Behavioural changes
“The short-term programme will help parents in identifying subtle behavioural changes in their children. It will also help them catch the progress in their child after the training is imparted,” he said. By involving the parents in group therapy, they would come out with their problems and learn more about their child’s condition, he added. The training also included tips on developing life skills, behaviour modification, economic rehabilitation, guidance and counselling. The programme for teachers, which would be held in August, would include modules on special teaching techniques to be employed while handling children with mental disability. Teachers needed to acquire special skill in handling classes which included children with mental disability and visual and hearing impairment.
Unlike children without disabilities, teaching these students required the use of teaching aids. With the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan stressing the concept of inclusive education, the programme would provide an added support to teachers, Swami Sahanananda added. Teachers at the school and college level could participate. The batch would include about 30 participants. Interested teachers can contact the centre at 2697529.
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