More About Inspiration

• Over the years Inspiration Centre has succeeded in striking a balance between professionalism, institutionalization and community involvement, as well as active involvement of the families, especially the mother.
  Its salient features are:
• Young children below 6 years are taken into the classroom and early intervention services are provided on a regular basis. This has resulted in rapid improvement of the children, and checking many of the behaviour problems which otherwise become established by that age. There's no substitute for early detection and intervention. Through proper care, stimulation and intervention almost 75% of damage may be prevented from deteriorating into disability. It has been seen practically that in a nurturing environment in the least restrictive conditions the child may reach a remarkable level of improvement. Most schools in Delhi do not have these services.
• IQ is not taken as a criterion for admission. Children below IQ50 are also taken, and given specialized training in self-help skills. This is a deviation from other special schools in Delhi. Children from slums and low-income bracket are given free training at the Centre.
• The mother is encouraged to come along with the child. Free hands-on training is given to parents, as a result of which consistency is maintained at home and the institution. This results in rapid improvement of the children.
• Inspiration Centre is the 1st Institution in Delhi to conduct the Ist, IInd and IIIrd level Care Giver's Training under the National Trust, a statutory body, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• All Teachers and Caregivers are highly qualified and dedicated, who jointly work as a multidisciplinary group to provide quality services to the special children. Stress is given on prevocational and vocational training of boys and girls, depending on interest and family requirements.
• From the very beginning, Inspiration has being giving particular stress and care in the empowerment of the mother. The development of a positive mindset helps in improvement of the child, who is nurtured in a positive and scientific environment. The "Care Givers" program focused on training of such potential mothers from the low-income bracket, and Inspiration has been successful in helping society by such training. Regular meetings and trainings are held, free of charge, so that all families may participate in the rehabilitation of these special children. The active involvement of parents also encourages the development of positive attitude in the parents. In June 2000, the parents from Inspiration Centre went in a large group of 24 for training at NIMH, SECUNDERABAD. These parents are now regular and motivated parents who are helping in the classroom also. Inspiration has regularly conducted free training programs, some of which have been sponsored by NIMH, SECUNDERABAD & LAJPAT NAGAR. Parents from different states also participated and were able to take benefit from this free training.
• There is a separate section for slow learners, who have been rejected from normal schools. These children are assisted to attain a certain level, depending on age, and are then prepared for the National Open School. Use of computers and other modern devices have helped them to develop interest in education and some of them have successfully passed some of the exams. Most of these students suffer from inferiority complex and low self-esteem. At the Centre, a lot of activities have been introduced such as Music, Dance, Drawing & Painting, Taek-won-do and Participation in Special Olympics. Due to these the children develop a lot of confidence, which also boosts their performance in Academics.
• Inspiration has regularly conducted awareness programs to create sensitivity in families and community at large, through entertainment programs, where various resource persons were invited to speak on preventive measures and treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Various Medical Camps were held to identify high risk mothers and give them counseling at an early stage.
• Participation in Inter school activities. Students from Inspiration Centre have participated in several functions and inter school competitions. Students have won Third prize at the YMCA Group song competition in 1999. Number of students has won Gold & Silver Medals at the Special Olympics, Delhi in 2001. Number of children participated at the National Olympics in 2001 and National Special Olympics on 7th Sept.2002. In 2003 ,Inspiration team won the Gold Medal for Bocce, a new game. In 2005, In the Special Olympics games ,Delhi, Inspiration team won the Gold Medal for Cricket. Also, In the Uttaranchal State Games, Two of the participants, from the newly set up Dehra Dun Branch, won a number of medals in several items.

Genesis, Dehradun Centre

INSPIRATION-a non-profit organization, working with the intellectually challenged, for the last 10 years, has now gone into its second phase On the completion of 10 years of service delivery, Inspiration launched a new project in Dehra Dun, from the 1st of October’05. The new Centre was opened in Dehra Dun, as there is a dearth of such institutions in the whole of the North Zone. Being associated with several apex bodies in India, dealing with Disability, Inspiration chose this particular state, due the call from parents & society in general.PHOTO : The Inaugural Ceremony at Inderlok Hotel. Seen here on Dias -Director with Chief Guest- Late Gen. Ranbir Bakhshi of the Raphael International Centre. Principal, Welham Girls' School addressing the Parents.

The inaugural ceremony took place at Inderlok Hotel, on the 25th Sept’ 05. Late Maj.Gen. Ranbir Bakhshi, Chairman Emeritus of Raphael Home, also a well known stalwart from the disability sector was the Chief Guest, while Mrs. Brar, Principal of Welham Girls’ School, and Mr. C.P. Dang, Chairman of Doon Girls’ School were the Guests of Honour. The Group Home presently consists of 9 inmates, and as many day scholars. It offers a variety of services with special emphasis on self-help skills and activities of daily living, besides games and therapies like, alternative therapies, behaviour therapy and recreational activities, music therapy, Vocational Activities etc.After coming to the Home, the students have shown a lot of improvement in their independent living skills. Peer tutoring, role modelling, high motivation and parent involvement are the key factors, which have played a vital role in the improvement of these young adultsFrom the morning till bed-time, there are a lot of activities which keep them gainfully occupied. Vocational training is incorporated to develop a positive work culture, so the students’ self esteem is boosted. In the Remedial Tutoring Centre, which operates in the evening, children from regular schools attend, & are a positive presence in the Home, since the integration gives the development of a lot of healthy attitudes in the regular students, when there are group integrated games ,dance & music.

SPECIAL FEATURES

The Special features of the Dehra Dun Centre are as follows:

Diet Therapy for autistic children.

Alternative therapies to control impulsitivity/aggression.

Special emphasis on Group Therapy & Role Modelling.

Training in Self-help skills & life skills.

Regular yoga & exercises.

Meditation Sessions for parents/volunteers.

Involvement of overseas volunteers.

Integrated group play & involvement of Students of Regular Schools.

Panel of highly experienced professionals on the Board of Advisors

Advocacy in Society, about Autism & Intellectual Disabilities.

Networking/ Liaison with Govt Depts, like IT Dept, & Social Welfare Dept of Uttaranchal Govt.

MNIK : Asperger Syndrome

SRK in My Name is Khan plays a character who has Asperger Syndrome. 'Asperger syndrome is an autism spectrum disorder, and people with it therefore show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.' But it is love that drives him even though he finds himself unable to express his emotions. Since the movie is about romantic love more than disability, we do not have much to rattle on...
First dyslexia (Taare Zameen Par) and now Asperger Syndrome! We wonder what's next!

From TZP to MNIK

It's been 15 years that we have been striving to sensitize people about the needs of special children. I'm left wondering about the impact of cinema when I see a 'commercial' film not only making crores but also educating an entire nation about dyslexia. Yes, I'm talking about 'Taare Zameen Par'. The serial 'Aap ki Antara' made waves but could not do what Aamir Khan did with his directorial debut. It's about selling what sells! Emotions and Humour! Melodrama and Laughter!

It's difficult to imagine the movie making an impact without the song 'Maa' and the sentimental scenes which touch the very core of your heart. Even '3 Idiots' would fall flat on its face without the comic scenes and the play upon emotions. So what if they play with our emotions to make money! They also carry a message which if driven home can change the way people think. People who had never even heard of dyslexia know about it after watching TZP. They understand that every individual is different and that difference should not invite value-judgements. How I wish people take home the message that such movies have to offer! Another movie in the offing is 'My Name is Khan'. We have heard that SRK plays the role of a mildly autistic person. Let us see what the movie has to offer us in the name of a 'message'!