 Book on ADHD released by Kalam
 A book 'ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder', authored by Parvathy Viswanath, Founder Director – AIKYA Special School, was released by President A P J Abdul Kalam recently.
ADHD is a disorder that is being found to be increasingly afflicting young children and school students in our country these days. According to stastistics available, 3 per cent to 5 per cent of school-going children in the US have this disorder.
In India, while there are no reliable figures available, the number of ADHD cases are said to be mounting. There is very little awareness in India about ADHD, and there is an acute need for information about the condition and the services available not only for the parents of those afflicted with ADHD, but even to mainstream school teachers.
Understanding the importantance and the need, Parvathy Viswanath has taken efforts to bring out a book on the disorder.
Why this book?
"Imagine, for a moment, that you are a parent of a child with no visible disability, but whose experiences of everyday life present constant challenges," says
Parvathy.
What may be typical activities for most people - eating, dressing, making friends, taking a spelling test, responding to a hug - are a struggle, often resulting in social, emotional, and academic problems.
Every year, 17 million new cases of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder are diagnosed in children globally. Medication is not a solution and this often leaves families confused, frustrated and searching for more options.
The author of this book describes the disorder and its three major sub-types, provides insight into assessment and diagnosis, and suggests treatment options and strategies, including the importance of occupational therapy, alternative interventions, behaviour modifications and parental involvement. The book illustrates the different ways in which the disorder may manifest itself as well as how families cope, while offering hope and advice to parents on how to be the best possible advocates for their children.
In this book, Parvathy Viswanath draws upon her 18 years of experience as a special educator to show teachers/parents how they can reclaim their central role in healing their students/children with comprehensive step-by-step advice on dealing with the problems of ADHD. The book deals with the educational, psychological treatments that can increase brain function.
An inspiring and essential guide, this book will help every teacher and family facing the challenges of ADHD create a more loving, healthy environment necessary for their child to thrive.
Parvathy is a qualified Special Educator with 18 years of experience in the field of Special Education. She has trained several hundreds of mothers, and babies (0-3 years) with developmental disabilities. She has worked with students (with Autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome and learning disabilities) of age 3-18 years, teaching functional academics and vocational skills, established sheltered workshops, and presented papers at national and international seminars, published books.
She has organised workshops and seminars for the benefit of teachers, parents and volunteers. She has organised several awareness programmes and mega events for the benefit of people with disabilities as well.
She founded AIKYA in Chennai. She has founded several special schools in India and abroad. Parvathy also holds important positions in various
organisations.
AIKYA runs a Special Education Centre and also trains of infants and toddlers through its early intervention outreach
programme;
Physio, Speech and Occupation therapy and remedial education are offered at school and after school programme as well;
Vocational training and sheltered workshop for young adults above 16 years;
AIKYA has been successful in placing their students in regular mainstream schools, finding suitable placement for them.
CREEDA, the sports unit of AIKYA special school, is committed to the development of lifetime skills for people of all ages and abilities by providing outdoor sports and recreational experiences in a nurturing environment.
The objective of these experiences is to build self-esteem, confidence and physical development, thereby enhancing active participation in all aspects of community life. As a role model, the centre promotes the concept of ability through integration, public awareness and education.
Music and singing are taught to help with speech impairments improve their articulation, rhythm and breath control. In a group setting, individuals develop a greater awareness of others by singing together. Instrument classes of AIKYA are a speciality. Playing instruments improves gross and fine motor coordination in individuals with motor impairments. Playing in instrumental ensembles helps a person with behavioural problems
to learn how to control disruptive impulses by working within a group structure. Learning a piece of music and performing it develops musical skills and helps a person build self-reliance, self-esteem and self-discipline.
Dance is another important programme at AIKYA. Dance is used to facilitate and improve an individual’s range of motion, joint mobility / agility / strength, balance, coordination, gait consistency, respiration patterns,
and muscular relaxation. The rhythmic movement helps to increase motivation, interest and enjoyment, and acts as a non-verbal persuasion to involve individuals socially.
Computers can create an awareness of self as, by touching a key, the child causes visible changes on the screen. Use of a computer is an interactive process, which can be enhanced by using two-person games. Not only do these foster an awareness of both self and other, but playing a computer game allows the person with autism to communicate with another person in a non-verbal environment. It offers an entity through which two people can
engage, an 'inanimate, a social, reflecting response mechanism'.
Sheltered workshop of AIKYA: Work is an essential part in the life of a person because it gives him status and binds him to society. Acceptance of disabled persons at work can be viewed as society’s acceptance of these
persons without discrimination. Successful performance at work makes a disabled person self-confident. However, many people with disabilities are still unable to obtain work and are dependent on others. Just as normal adults work to earn their livelihood, persons with intellectul challenges also have the potential to work and earn if they are provided with the necessary training, placement and other supports. At present, many of them are idle, or work a few hours every week. Their earnings do not reflect their capabilities.
To make employment a realistic option for people with special needs, appropriate jobs from the open market have been identified by AIKYA. Simple jobs that require minimum supervision and low risk have been selected for successful training and placement. Based on their generic skills and aptitude and intensive training at AIKYA, they have been able to produce many products. These products are of high quality, accepted by the general
public and experts and are competing with other products in the market. This is highly rewarding for those working at this unit.
Physio, speech and occupation therapy and remedial education are offered as after school programme also.
For more details, please call: 98400 57975
R Rangaraj
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