Friday, August 31, 2018

NIEPID






National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Formerly National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped)established in the year 1984 at Manovikasnagar, Secunderabad (TS) is an Autonomous Body under the administrative control of Deparment of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjan), Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India. NIEPID (Formely NIMH) is dedicated to provide quality services to Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (Divyangjan) in the National interest. 

http://www.niepid.nic.in/


https://www.facebook.com/niepid/


#Asd parents and Therapists Group.Kerala

Friday, August 24, 2018

Social Story for Flood affected Asd Individuals with Malayalam translation


Social Story for Flood affected Asd Individuals By T.K Venkitachalam alias
Venki ,The Illustrator

Venki is a Children's book Illustrator, involved in illustrating picture books, activities , visual oriented Iearning materials for children,based at Kochi .

During the Kerala floods which was followed by massive rehabilitation,it was noticed by therapists that some of the individuals in the spectrum were reluctant to return back to own homes due to anxiety,panic and insecurities.The social story illustrated by Venki ,can be used as a replica to help individuals tide over their fears and anxieties and return back to their homes.

















Repeating the above illustration will definitely relieve the stress and strain associated with Asd individuals which is the aftermath of floods.Always be calm and deal with our kids with much composure.



Adding Malayalam translation on request from viewers.

















Expressing our sincere gratitude to Venki,The Illustrator.

Courtesy for Malayalam translation
Hasin Melepat
Basil Melepat,Software experts,Working at HasBas Bros Studious.
Members of "Varam Kootayma",Malappuram.


Thank you.

#Asd Parents and Therapists Group,Kerala

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Guidance to manage flood affected Asd individuals






*Guidance to deal with CWSN in Relief Camps*

The most important thing is to reduce anxiety in the child since with severe sensory issues and limited communication, the outcome is usually a 'Flight or Fight' response.

However, assume they are competent to understand and talk and act accordingly, even though they may not respond.

Change in the environment and their normal routine may cause anxiety and stress .use calming strategies to help them ,familiar people and caregivers to give assurance to them

#Present *visual aids (videos , pictures,photos ,simple drawings )to help the children to understand the situation
.Using the *visual aids as support , explain to the children about any changes . Allow them *time to process the information as well prepare themselves for any transitions ,which can be challenge in many ways for children with autism (Can't draw? use Google images and animations)
Simple Visual aids ( via drawings, photos  )  and social stories to help them under stand the situation better . Help them to know what routine is ahead like sleeping, eating going to bathroom, meeting  teacher or elder etc. Use as much visual aids like simple drawings to illustrate.

#Autism children ,they may be sensitive to environmental stimuli like  noise (never speak too loud or shout or yell),smells, lights , clothing and temperature (various stimuli depends on child )they can be easily overwhelmed by surroundings .try to figure out the potential stimuli and avoid it





#Try to avoid flashing and flickering lights.Try and minimise the tube lighting, and also any irritating background noise.

#See if they need to use the bathroom. *Use pictures of toilet to ask if they need to go . In fact take them to the bathroom for *#2* at least once and *#1* every 2-3 hours. (most important)



#Provide sensory toys  (these are the toys which gives  particular sensory input to the child ,it can be visual or tactile .toys like fidgetting or squeeshy)

#Some children have the habit of putting things in mouth to satisfy their sensory needs is to be taken  care of (caution)



#Hand flapping , repetitive behaviour often  serve to help cope with regulation of emotions.It is important to give them conduit to do so with out much attention brought to it.Do not stop the child if he/she is engaging in hand flapping or pacing or other self stimulatory behavior since that is their way of self regulation. It may look odd but it is their way of calming themselves.

  
Let them flap hands or fidget fingers/objects

#Keep one corner area to be free with soft beds ,like cool down area , whenever child feels distress ,child can go there and cool down  himself.

#Provide soft sensory items ,the child can use for calming



#If child shows any frustration ,try to look for reasons ,react calmly ,give time for them to cool down

 #Autism children express their physical issues through behaviour ,try to figure it out.


#Avoid processed foods as much as possible.Some kids will be on a wheat free ,milk free ,cocoa free,soy free diet
Refer gfcfsf diet.
https://tacanow.org/family-resources/in-defense-of-the-gfcfsf-diet-for-children-with-autism/

#They maybe sensitive to various sounds and stimuli so trying to figure out any potential sound , touch or visual stimuli that may trigger anxiety attacks and as far as possible removing such stimuli will be useful

#Use bed sheets or soft blankets to cover them (if they prefer, else not)


#Soft lullabies or singing (most of them love songs) can help.

#If some can engage in play, try and device simple games with a defined  beginning and end. Eg:-Putting stuff in a box, or running upto  a point.

*CWSN :-children with special needs

Mrs Indulekha Damodaran

#Asd parents and Therapists Group,Kerala.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Music Therapy





Music is in the fabric of our soul and has several benefits which are lesser known today...heres a refresher course

🎡  *Ahir Bhairav*:
Gives free relaxed feeling and mitigates dust allergies and skin disease. Good for arthritic conditions

🎡  *Amrutavarshini*:
Ushana vyathi nasini ( alleviates diseases related to heat)

🎡  *Ananda Bhairavi*:
Supresses stomach pain in both men and women. Reduces kidney type problems. Controls blood pressure

🎡  *Bagesri*:
Helps in attaining Guru's grace

🎡  *Bhairavi*:
Reduces anxiety, pressures, skin, disease, allergies

🎡  *Bhupala*:
To awaken someone out of deep sleep

🎡  *Charukesi*:
26th raga in the melakarta scale (parent) of the south Indian classical music. Rejuvenates the mind helping one to age gracefully. It enlivens the singer and listener.

🎡  *Desh*:
The suppression of the senses releases a negative force. The process of sublimation needs a spiritual path. Rag Desh can provide that. Its energy gives the listener serenity, peace, inner joy, right valor, universal love and patriotism

🎡  *Dwijavanti*:
Quells paralysis and sicorders of the mind

🎡  *Ganamurte*:
Helpful in diabetes
Sure.
🎡  *Hamsadhwani*:
Energy giving. Provides good thinking, chaitanya. Sarvarogaharini (panacea

🎡  *Hemavati*:
Good for joint and back pain

🎡  *Hindolam*:
Improves digestive power. Cures stomach related. problems

🎡  *Kalyani*:
Gives energy and removes tension and acts as general tonic. Dispels the darkness of fear; Gives motherly comfort and increases confidence. Kalyani means mangalam. Recited with faith and devotion, it is believed to clinch marriage alliances. Many authentic reports exist about the raga's power to destroy fear in many forms: fear of poverty, of love, of power, of ill-health, of death, and so on.

🎡  *Kapi*:
Sick patients get over their depression, anxiety. Reduces absent mindedness

🎡  *Karaharapriya*:
Curative for heart disease and nervous irritablility, neurosis, worry and distress.

🎡  *Kedaram*:
Gives energy and removes tension

🎡  *Keervani*:
Promotes dhyana (meditation) at mental and physical levels

🎡  *Kokilam*:
Helps to prevent stone formation, burning sensations, sleeplessness and anxiety.

🎡  *Madhuvarshini*:
Good for nerves. Cures diseases like slight headache, sleeplessness, and sinus problems.

🎡  *Madhyamavati*:
Clears paralysis, giddiness, pain in legs/hands, etc. and nervous complaints

🎡  *Malaya Maruta*:
To awaken someone out of deep sleep

🎡  *Maya Malava Gowla*:
Counters pollution. It can be called the Gateway to Carnatic music. The history of Camatic music says that the blessed musician, Purandaradasar, introduced the system of Mayamalava gowla. This raga has the power to neutralize toxins in the body. Practicing it in the early hours of the morning, in the midst of nature will enhance the strength of the vocal chords.

🎡  *Mohanam*:
Mohanam is present where beauty and love coexist. It filters out the ill-effects of kama (desire for sex) , krodha (anger) and moha (lust), bestowing immense benefits on the listener. Also said to sures chronic headaches, indigestion, and depression.

🎡  *Neelambari*:
To get rid of insomnia

🎡  *Ranjani*:
Cures kidney disease

🎡  *Rathipathipriya*:
Adds strengh and vigor to a happy wedded life. This 5-swara raga has the power to eliminate poverty. The prayoga of the swaras can wipe off the vibrations of bitter feelings emitted by ill will

🎡  *Rohini*:
Cures back pain, joint pain, etc.

🎡  *Sama*:
Makes mind sober, tranquil, induces good sleep. Good for world peace.

🎡  *Saramati*:
Elevates from depressed state. Cures balagraha dosham in children ( undiagnoses crying and imitability). For sleeplessness, itching, eye and ear problems, skin problems, and the problems of hearing irregular sounds

🎡  *Sindu Bhairavi*:
Removes sins and sorrows and saves from unforesenn events

🎡  *Sivaranjani*:
Powerful raga for meditation; bestows benevolence of God. Removes sadness, ushana roga santi (diseases related to excess heat). Good for general health

🎡Sandhya Kalyani:
Cures ear, nose and eye diseases. Relieves chronic clods. Gives good sleep and freshness

🎡  *Shankarabharanam*:
The power of this raga is incredible. It cures mental illness, soothes the turbulent mind and restores peace and harmony. If rendered with total de
votion for a stipulated period, it can cure mental disorders said to be beyond the scope of medical treatment. It also is said to have the power to shower wealth.

🎡  *Shanmugapriya*:
Sharpens the intellect of the singer as well as the listener. Instills courage in one's mind and replenishes the energy in the body.

🎡  *Subhapantuvarali*:
Alleviates mental dilemmas and indecisiveness

🎡  *Suddha dhanyasi*:
Remover of sorrows. Gives a happy feeling. Tonic for nerves. Cures rhinitis and migraine.

🎡  *Suruti*:
Mitigates stomach burn, insomnia, fear, disgust

🎡  *Vakulabharanam*:
Alleviates asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, depression, skin disease and skin

🎡  *Varali*:
Varali is good for vayu tatva, heart, skin ailments and gastric problems.

🎡  *Vasanta / Vasanti*:
Controls high and low blood pressure, cures heart as well as nervous diseases. Can dear the fog of confusion when a series of medical tests has to be analysed. It heals nervous breakdowns.

🎡  *Vasantham*:
Cures paralysis

🎡  *Viswambari*:
General tonic, acts quickly
🎡  *Yamuna Kalyani*:
Gives freshness and dynamism

Courtesy :- Devyna Lembard.

Therapeutic listening

                    Therapeutic Listening




A collection of therapeutic listening programs I had compiled sometime ago for those who are interested in it.

The Listening Program https://advancedbrain.com/

Tomatis
        http://www.tomatis.com/

Berard AIT
        http://berardaitwebsite.com/

Therapeutic Listening https://vitallinks.com/therapeutic-listening/

CAPDOTS
          http://capdots.com/

ForBrain
           https://www.forbrain.com/

The REI Custom Program
                               https://www.stronginstitute.com/rei-custom-program/autism/


Sanjaya Ganesh.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Communication Passports for Those with Asd

Whatsapp Discussion on Communication Passports/Books /Charts/Bands/Cue cards  and Personal Portfolio for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Dated 1/8/18 to 10/8/18



*Communication passports

A communication passport is a one page document that the child has with him or her all of the time. It gives the people they meet basic information about how they communicate and what support they need. Personal Communication Passports are a practical and person-centred way of supporting children, young people and adults who cannot easily speak for themselves. Passports are a way of pulling complex information together and presenting it in an easy-to-follow format

 Passports aim to:

Present the person positively as an individual, not as a set of 'problems' or disabilities;
Provide a place for the person's own views and preferences to be recorded and drawn to the attention of others;
Reflect the person's unique character, sense of humour etc.;
Describe the person's most effective means of communication and how others can best communicate with, and support the person;
Draw together information from past and present, and from different contexts, to help staff and conversation partners understand the person and have successful interactions;
Place equal value on the views of all who know the person well, as well as the views of the specialist professionals.  The advantage of Passports is that they are easy to read, informative, useful and fun. They are highly personal, so guidelines to good practice are outlined in this book to protect the children and vulnerable people who use Passports.

*Who uses Passports

 Passports are used in home, care, social work, health and education settings. They are of key importance in the community to link up input from all of those different settings. Passports are useful for a very wide range of people. It is not to do with age or medical diagnosis, it is primarily to do with communication difficulties, and life circumstances.

http://www.communicationpassports.org.uk/Home/


*Communication books & charts

Some children can learn to make choices by pointing to a symbol and or word in a communication book or on a communication chart. They might be able to point with a fist or a finger or they might be able to point with their eyes or with a head pointer

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.pinterest.com/amp/pin/501869952201810863/&ved=2ahUKEwj89vzIxufcAhXKMY8KHQaOC2EQFjAUegQIBxAB&usg=AOvVaw0w9Z_GKS7OcsQhAKn4ypHX&ampcf=1&cshid=1534078290699

*Communi-bands

 Communication wristbands to indicate a clear "yes" "no" response for special needs children/adults who are non-verbal or who may have unclear speech

https://www.google.com/search?q=communication+band+autism&prmd=niv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwili-WIyOfcAhWHNI8KHUBKBpkQ_AUIEigC&biw=360&bih=560#imgrc=CClk74gRX3e6oM:



*Personal portfolio

A personal portfolio is a user-friendly booklet about your child to introduce them to others. It is especially helpful when your child has communication difficulties.

http://www.victoriesnautism.com/communication--behavioral-cues.html


Gina expressed the relevance of communication books when the child first starts schooling.She implied the relevance of using pictures of family members,home ,school,toys and food.

Renu.S.Singh demonstrated the communication books and schedules she made. She adviced that the number of picture choices given mainly depends on the comprehension and scanning ability of the child.She asked to increase the number of picture choices as the child progressed.Pictures of custom made simple boards,schedule boards and calender types were provided.








Courtesy :- Renu Singh
Contact renuraj2singh@gmail.com for queries or orders.

For preparing improvised teaching aids Renu suggested using self adhesive Velcro rolls of 25m.

Catherine Figarado too demonstrated velcro that can be used for the purpose.

Kalpana Andrews provided a direct link for purchasing Velcro which she reviewed as  of good quality

https://www.amazon.in/Vardhman-strong-adhesive-Fasteners-color/dp/B075CLXC2B/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1533739746&sr=1-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=velcro+dots&dpPl=1&dpID=31PvqLu5I5L&ref=plSrch

We analysed that communication books /charts /boards/bands etc play a vital role in the life of a person affected with Asd.These are medium for communication for our kids.

Thank you all

#Asd parents and Therapists Group,Kerala.

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Sign Language,PECS and ASD

Sign Language ,PECS and Autism spectrum Disorder

WhatsApp discussion dated 2/8/18 To 10/8/ 18



Sign languages (also known as signed languages) are languages that use the visual-manual modality to convey meaning. Language is expressed via the manual signstream in combination with non-manual elements. Sign languages are full-fledged natural languages with their own grammar and lexicon.This means that sign languages are not universal and they are not mutually intelligible, although there are also striking similarities among sign languages (Wikipedia)

 PECS:Picture exchange communication system  is a specific program where the child exchanges a picture of what he wants for the real thing.  It is a very prescribed program and in order to do this, you must go through special training, purchase special materials, and have another trained adult to do the therapy with you.


https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/aac-apps-review/

 PECS phase 1 to 6
https://youtu.be/aouSfDAW-Q8

PECS communication system
https://youtu.be/X-7XK1USpBc

Using Visuals to teach autistic students
https://youtu.be/RO6dc7QSQb4

The discussion started off by Priti Vadakkath by sharing her experiences using sign language on the advice of a BCBA for a home based programme.She pointed that while using sign language one should understand the do's and dont's of the sign language use.The major advantage of sign language is that it's natural. emotive and not based on any technology at the same time completely dependant on the person who uses it.She also pointed out that the disadvantage of using sign language is that the general public doesnot understand sign language.
 Sign language Dictionary
http://www.aslsignlanguagedictionary.com/sign-language-dictionary.html

Why I start with sign language
https://youtu.be/1FAv9Tu6Mgk

Using ABA for first sounds
https://youtu.be/kgCM_VqcFOU

Lakshmi Jayakrishnan shared her experiences  on using a picture -word book cut out from magazines for developing communication.She preferred using sign language for basic needs.She shared her apprehensions in using sign language as a medium for communication owing to it's disadvantages , but recommended it as a cue.She shared her experience that sign language was indeed a motivation for the child to speak.

Suja Pisharody demonstrated how pictures help in improving  communication skills in Asd children

Akila Vaidyanathan of Amaze Trust,Coimbatore very well demonstrated her power point presentations and word documents on PECS, Online resources for PECS,Avaz Online Resources and RPM resources.(Not publishing for copyright issues)

She also shared the product catalogue designed by her and made by her interns on the spectrum from the "Ameya Training Programme"



For products and queries please mail  the following address.
Gmail- amaze1209@gmail.com

DIY Pecs
https://koriathome.com/make-a-homemade-pecs-binder/

Chitra Chandran gave an overview of how she used PECS until the child reached sentence level.She explained that she used picture schedule for helping daily routine which helped the child to become independent very soon.She pointed out that even minimally verbal kids can enhance their speech with PECS as the major advantage is helping the kids reduce stress while trying to retrieve words.Once the child is confident enough it's equally important to fade the use of PECS.She also noticed special educators using PECS only till Phase 3

Renu Singh shared her dissertation for parental awareness on various ACCs being used and it provides a wonderful overview on the same and how to use PECS efficiently.Her first batch of Teaching aids under the brand name "Wings to learn" ,handmade by PRAGATI, a vocational training centre for individuals with Autism ( subsidiary of Bubbles centre,Bangalore) is available to yhe public now.She acknowledged Mrs Sarbani Mallick of Bubbles Autism Center for her successful venture.





Contact the following mail for teaching aids.
renuraj2singh@gmail.com

Useful links

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Na69fN9aAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt8uzRl9eMY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKU7J6t08Bo

http://www.acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=874


http://www.acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=836

http://www.acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=875

http://www.acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=800

http://acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=667

http://acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=815

http://acadcom.com/acawebsite/prodView.asp?idproduct=876

https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2014/04/free-printable-daily-schedule.html?m=1

https://www.andnextcomesl.com/2018/01/free-visual-schedule-printables.html?m=1

https://goo.gl/images/qzhJe1

https://goo.gl/images/YNG4an

https://goo.gl/images/aafhX9

https://goo.gl/images/38btNZ

https://goo.gl/images/38btNZ

Thank you all

#Asd parents and Therapists Group,Kerala