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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Managing ADHD and Art Tools for Healing Workshop - 17th December

Art Therapy helps to improve the emotional well being of a person. Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy. The process of creating or making different forms of art is therapeutic. So, it is "Art as Therapy." There are simple tools to practice Art Therapy. The common ones are Mandala, Magazine photo collage, Masks, and Art Journal. Anyone can learn or practice Art Therapy. There is no minimum educational qualification or drawing skills that a person needs.


Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder and each person with ADHD is unique. Psychologist Parvathy Viswanth will teach the different methods to handle a child with ADHD. This session will benefit parents, special educators, counselors, and therapists.

Entry Fee: Rs 300
Contact   : 9444960643,  info@aikya.org
Venue     : 2/9, Karpagambal Nagar Main Road, Luz, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004  

Friday, November 25, 2011

Mentally Retarded and Mentally Ill - Is there a Difference?

Lay people confuse the terms mentally retarded and mentally ill. Mental retardation is a birth defect and is usually found from birth. But, mental illness sets on during or after adolescence, especially after a major setback in life.

Mental illness is due to chemical malfunction in the brain and can be cured or reduced with medicines. But , mental retardation can be reduced only by vocational and behavioral therapy.

People with mental illness can work in the mainstream after treatment. But, people with mental retardation can only do jobs that match their ability.

NGOs working with mentally ill people, demand that mentally ill and mentally retarded must be under the same category and/or premises. But, mentally ill people may turn violent and mentally retarded people who are child-like cannot defend themselves. So, the debate continues. 

Singer SPB wearing an AIKYA Garland


AIKYA's 20th Annual Day - An Article in HINDU Downtown


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Advithiya Awards Function - Event Highlights

AIKYA honored 30 special people with Advithiya awards. Advithiya means 'Second to None.' Ofcourse, the special people who are educated and employed are second to none.

                         

"A great mind imprisoned in a disobedient body"  - One of the speakers highlighted how Stephen Hawking, a great physicist has achieved inspite of a neuro-motor and speech disorder.  A poor mother in Tirunelveli has four children with special needs. Even though neighbors gave her tips to get rid of the children, the brave mother is helping her children grow well. There are many special schools in Chennai, but rural areas lack such schools.

One of the speakers said that HR managers in MNCs discourage people with special needs and colleagues tease the special people. Sometimes, the eager employees stop going to work after few days. Proprietors tell that they cannot control the behaviour of all their staff. Sometimes, house owners do not let out houses for rent to a family with a special child.

IAS Kannegi Packianathan 
When Chief Guest and IAS Kannegi Packianathan spoke, she recalled how Ms. Parvathy always meets her to discuss about special people. Ms. Kannegi asked the parents of special children to voice their concerns. This confession will help the government in formulating policies that reflect real-world issues. The government has been appointing 'Care Givers' who can take care of disabled people in a home.



Thursday, November 17, 2011

ADVITHIYA - A Function to Honor 40 Achievers with Special Needs


AIKYA will honor achievers with Special needs on 23rd November at Tattvaloka Hall in Chennai.  Ms. Kannegi Packianathan, IAS, Secretary for Dept of Welfare for Differently Abled will be the Chief Guest. People with special needs such as Autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, LD  and Cerebral Palsy have a social stigma attached to them.  Society and employers always have a doubt about how the special people will perform in a job.


AIKYA plans to honor around 40+ people with special needs who are graduates and/ or work in a steady job. These are people who have made a mark in society against all odds.  The government now gives 3% reservation to disabled people.  PWD  who get benefits are hearing impaired, visually impaired, and persons with orthopedic impairment. Through this event, AIKYA plans to request the government to give a 1% reservation to the four categories of disabilities namely AUTISM, MR,CP and Multiple Disabilities  recognized by National Trust ( a wing of Social justice and Empowerment) .

There are many advantages of employing people with Special Needs:
  • ·         Low employee turnover – Loyal employees
  • ·         Manpower willing to do repetitive work without getting bored
  • ·         Honest, Sincere, Hard working, and Reliable employees
  • ·         Customers would love your Social responsibility.
  • ·         Government recognizes your Goodwill  with certain benefits.
AIKYA also runs a work centre that trains young adults in making products such as garlands, towels,  fancy jewels, incense sticks, areca leaf plates, xeroxing, lamination, computer skills and more.  The trainees learn filing and skills reqd for an office assistant. Soft skills like communication, socialization, and grooming skills  are also taught. Prospective employers can source trained manpower from AIKYA’s work centre too. Look forward to see you all at the function that starts at 5:30 pm.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Annual Day Celebration on 11/11/11 - A Recap of Bliss

The Annual Day and 20-year-service celebrations of AIKYA went on very well. Kids of AIKYA danced with karagam on their heads, guitars in their waist, and colorful cloth in hand. They recited numbers 1-10 with different props like water bottles, caps, and flowers. They sang songs. And also did a fancy dress competition and dressed themselves as carrots, cows, and more.

Singer Sudha Raghunathan was the chief guest. When she spoke, she asked the audience to give a standing ovation to the founder and teachers of AIKYA. She sang the Bharathiyaar song "Chinanj Chiru Kiliye Kannamma" and became emotional in the end. She also gave chocolates to AIKYA kids. She promised to do a charity show for AIKYA also.

AIKYA founder Ms. Parvathy told that the growth of special children and their parents is the growth of AIKYA. Anitha presented a summary of 20 years of AIKYA's contribution to society. Sudha Raghunathan gave prizes to all the kids. The parents were very jubilant and took photos and videos as their kids performed.

Two parents and one grandparent spoke about AIKYA. They told how they had changed their kids to 3 or 4 special schools before they came to AIKYA. After their kids joined AIKYA, they showed a good improvement in social skills, arithmetic, and were eager to go to school. So, 11/11/11 became really special for everyone at AIKYA.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Invitation to AIKYA Annual Day on 11th November

AIKYA centre invites you with family and friends to celebrate their 20 years of service and Annual Day on 11th November at Ragha Sudha Hall. Padmashri. Sudha Raghunathan has agreed to be the guest of honor. AIKYA children will dance and sing. Please share the invite with everyone. All are welcome.