Sunday, October 10, 2010
Calling all parents of children with Intellectual and developmental disabilities to Act now !!
Calling all parents of children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities :
Act fast, join the campaign :
Back ground :
National Trust Act came into existence because of the hard struggle put up by the parents of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the banner of Parivaar. It was Parivaar leaders who played a very important role in drafting the National Trust Act and when the National Trust Act was passed by the Parliament at the end of the 20th century, we the parents of persons with these disabilities hailed it as the "Gift of the Millennium".
How was the National Trust Act enacted?
It was brought in to serve the specific needs of the four disabilities covered by this Act. Hence, in principle it is a “service Act”. It serves the specific needs of these disabilities. Following are the objectives of the NT Act:
to enable and empower persons with (intellectual and developmental disabilities) to live as independently and as fully as possible within and as close to the community to which they belong;
to strengthen facilities to provide support to persons with (these) disability to live within their own families;
to extend support to the registered organizations to provide need based services during period of crisis in the family of persons with (these) disability;
to deal with problems a persons with (these) disability who do not have family support;
to promote measures for the care and protection of persons with (these) disability in the event of death of their parent or guardian;
to evolve procedure for appointment of guardians and trustees for persons with (these) disability requiring such protection;
to facilitate the realization of equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of persons with (these) disability.
With these laudable objectives the National Trust has been working and during the last decade of its existence it has launched lot of programmes and schemes which has brought much needed relief to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But above all the National Trust Act has provided an answer to the most worrying question of the parents “After us What?”
The objectives of National Trust has brought much needed assurance to the parents and families of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities that their children’s future is secure under the provisions of the National Trust Act.
By repealing such an important Act will bring disastrous consequences for the persons with these disabilities, their parents and families.
NT act is basically a service Act providing the services needed by persons with disabilities namely Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and multiple disabilities.
The NT Act is dear to parents because it is the parents' own creation. It is true that the NT Act as it exists today is not perfect. In the changed circumstances it is necessary to revise it and certainly it should be brought in consonance with the provisions of UNCRPD. However, we parents firmly believe that the basic objectives of the NT Act are still very much valid even in these changed circumstances.
The objectives of the National Trust are very much valid even today and it is probably the only disability Act in India which is very progressive and comes very near to the ideals and provisions of the UNCRPD. It is therefore, necessary that the National Trust should be strengthened and its functioning is made more effective.
Repealing such an important Act will bring disastrous consequences for the persons with these disabilities, their parents and families.
Act fast, join the campaign :
Back ground :
National Trust Act came into existence because of the hard struggle put up by the parents of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities under the banner of Parivaar. It was Parivaar leaders who played a very important role in drafting the National Trust Act and when the National Trust Act was passed by the Parliament at the end of the 20th century, we the parents of persons with these disabilities hailed it as the "Gift of the Millennium".
How was the National Trust Act enacted?
It was brought in to serve the specific needs of the four disabilities covered by this Act. Hence, in principle it is a “service Act”. It serves the specific needs of these disabilities. Following are the objectives of the NT Act:
to enable and empower persons with (intellectual and developmental disabilities) to live as independently and as fully as possible within and as close to the community to which they belong;
to strengthen facilities to provide support to persons with (these) disability to live within their own families;
to extend support to the registered organizations to provide need based services during period of crisis in the family of persons with (these) disability;
to deal with problems a persons with (these) disability who do not have family support;
to promote measures for the care and protection of persons with (these) disability in the event of death of their parent or guardian;
to evolve procedure for appointment of guardians and trustees for persons with (these) disability requiring such protection;
to facilitate the realization of equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of persons with (these) disability.
With these laudable objectives the National Trust has been working and during the last decade of its existence it has launched lot of programmes and schemes which has brought much needed relief to persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. But above all the National Trust Act has provided an answer to the most worrying question of the parents “After us What?”
The objectives of National Trust has brought much needed assurance to the parents and families of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities that their children’s future is secure under the provisions of the National Trust Act.
By repealing such an important Act will bring disastrous consequences for the persons with these disabilities, their parents and families.
NT act is basically a service Act providing the services needed by persons with disabilities namely Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and multiple disabilities.
The NT Act is dear to parents because it is the parents' own creation. It is true that the NT Act as it exists today is not perfect. In the changed circumstances it is necessary to revise it and certainly it should be brought in consonance with the provisions of UNCRPD. However, we parents firmly believe that the basic objectives of the NT Act are still very much valid even in these changed circumstances.
The objectives of the National Trust are very much valid even today and it is probably the only disability Act in India which is very progressive and comes very near to the ideals and provisions of the UNCRPD. It is therefore, necessary that the National Trust should be strengthened and its functioning is made more effective.
Repealing such an important Act will bring disastrous consequences for the persons with these disabilities, their parents and families.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Media
http://www.tnrajbhavan.gov.in/Speeches/2009/Sp290409.htmhttp://www.hindu.com/2009/04/03/stories/2009040358310200.htm
http://archives.chennaionline.com/health/News/2006/09adhd.asp
http://www.hindu.com/quest/200703/stories/2007030900080200.htm
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/10/30/stories/2003103000930200.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/03/stories/2010010354760600.htm
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=46630&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
http://archives.chennaionline.com/health/News/2006/09adhd.asp
http://www.hindu.com/quest/200703/stories/2007030900080200.htm
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/10/30/stories/2003103000930200.htm
http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/03/stories/2010010354760600.htm
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=46630&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16
Friday, April 30, 2010
Optimus Education - School for students with ADHD,LD and slow learners
A branch has been opened for students with ADHD, LD and slow learners. This is located at Mylapore.
For details call 9444960643
For details call 9444960643
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Autism Awareness Day
About Autism
Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life of the individual.. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and imagination. It is a spectrum disorder.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISM :
Autism is characterized by a marked impairment in the following areas:
• Social skills: Kids with autism have difficulty in initiating and sustaining relationships with their peers. It is not that they do not relate, it is that they relate in a different way. It is not that people with autism do not want to make friends, but often they do not know how. Thus, it becomes critical to teach them social skills. However, some social difficulties remain throughout life. These social deficits are the most difficult to overcome.
• Communication skills: Individuals with autism have their core difficulty in the area of communication. Many of them do not develop speech; even the ones who have a relatively good language development do not use it effectively for communication. Individuals with autism also have difficulty in using and comprehending non-verbal modes of communication like gestures and facial expressions.
• Play skills: A marked absence of pretend and imaginary play is one of the key features of autism.
Autistic individuals may show abnormal responses to sensations. Any one or more of the senses may be affected. All these difficulties manifest themselves in behaviours i.e. abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events in the environment.
Why an Awareness Week
In the recent years there has been a marked increase in the incidence of autism. Studies have shown that I in every 500 people may be autistic or have autistic features. However, lack of awareness about the condition, leads to misdiagnosis and hence wrong intervention. It has been established that early detection and intervention can make a remarkable difference to the child’s life.
Through the Awareness programme we seek to educate and empower parents, who we believe, are the first and the best resource for their children. AIKYA seeks to create awareness in the community about autism, because an accepting and understanding environment can go a long way in rehabilitating an individual.
Autism is a developmental disorder that typically appears during the first three years of life of the individual.. Autism impacts the normal development of the brain in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and imagination. It is a spectrum disorder.
CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTISM :
Autism is characterized by a marked impairment in the following areas:
• Social skills: Kids with autism have difficulty in initiating and sustaining relationships with their peers. It is not that they do not relate, it is that they relate in a different way. It is not that people with autism do not want to make friends, but often they do not know how. Thus, it becomes critical to teach them social skills. However, some social difficulties remain throughout life. These social deficits are the most difficult to overcome.
• Communication skills: Individuals with autism have their core difficulty in the area of communication. Many of them do not develop speech; even the ones who have a relatively good language development do not use it effectively for communication. Individuals with autism also have difficulty in using and comprehending non-verbal modes of communication like gestures and facial expressions.
• Play skills: A marked absence of pretend and imaginary play is one of the key features of autism.
Autistic individuals may show abnormal responses to sensations. Any one or more of the senses may be affected. All these difficulties manifest themselves in behaviours i.e. abnormal ways of relating to people, objects and events in the environment.
Why an Awareness Week
In the recent years there has been a marked increase in the incidence of autism. Studies have shown that I in every 500 people may be autistic or have autistic features. However, lack of awareness about the condition, leads to misdiagnosis and hence wrong intervention. It has been established that early detection and intervention can make a remarkable difference to the child’s life.
Through the Awareness programme we seek to educate and empower parents, who we believe, are the first and the best resource for their children. AIKYA seeks to create awareness in the community about autism, because an accepting and understanding environment can go a long way in rehabilitating an individual.
Autism Awareness day - April 2nd
AUTISM: Are You Aware?
April is Autism Awareness Month, check your awareness level on Autism.: understanding certain facts about this condition is extremely important.
Autism is no longer an obscure, rare thing. It's all around us, and we need to be tolerant, supportive, and vigilant in searching for answers so that we can eventually shed some light on what is causing this mysterious disorder.
• Are you aware that autism has now been deemed a worldwide epidemic?
• Did you know that one in one hundred fifty children has autism in the United States? (That's a whole lot.) .We do not have figures in India
• Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism every twenty minutes?
• Are you aware that autism is more prevalent than breast cancer, leukemia, juvenile diabetes, and many other conditions?
• Did you know that autism is not caused by bad parenting or a lack of parental bonding?
• Did you know that the symptoms of autism vary greatly from child to child, with some being severely affected and others only mildly?
• Experts now say that children with autism have a genetic predisposition to the condition, but it is set in motion by some sort of mysterious environmental trigger. (This is the same explanation experts are giving for juvenile diabetes, too--genetic predisposition plus environmental trigger.)
April is Autism Awareness Month, check your awareness level on Autism.: understanding certain facts about this condition is extremely important.
Autism is no longer an obscure, rare thing. It's all around us, and we need to be tolerant, supportive, and vigilant in searching for answers so that we can eventually shed some light on what is causing this mysterious disorder.
• Are you aware that autism has now been deemed a worldwide epidemic?
• Did you know that one in one hundred fifty children has autism in the United States? (That's a whole lot.) .We do not have figures in India
• Did you know that a child is diagnosed with autism every twenty minutes?
• Are you aware that autism is more prevalent than breast cancer, leukemia, juvenile diabetes, and many other conditions?
• Did you know that autism is not caused by bad parenting or a lack of parental bonding?
• Did you know that the symptoms of autism vary greatly from child to child, with some being severely affected and others only mildly?
• Experts now say that children with autism have a genetic predisposition to the condition, but it is set in motion by some sort of mysterious environmental trigger. (This is the same explanation experts are giving for juvenile diabetes, too--genetic predisposition plus environmental trigger.)
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Retinitis pigmentosa
Retinitis pigmentosa awareness month
February is retinitis pigmentosa awareness month.
Learn more about this potentially disabling condition characterised by night blindness and "tunnel vision”.
What is Retinitis pigmentosa?
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an eye condition characterised
by progressive loss of visual field, diminished dark adaptation (night blindness)
and damage to the retina. In patients with retinitis pigmentosa, peripheral
(side) vision is lost, making moving around safely difficult. Thirty million people
worldwide are afflicted with age-related macular degeneration
and retinitis pigmentosa.
What causes Retinitis pigmentosa?
Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by mutations in genes that are
active in retinal cells. Gene mutations are programmed into cells at the
time of conception. Retinitis pigmentosa is not caused by injury, infection or
exposure to any toxic substance.
What Are the symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa?
Many people with retinitis pigmentosa disease retain some sight all their lives. Others may go completely blind from Retinitis pigmentosa, in some cases as early as childhood. Patients with Retinitis pigmentosa have trouble adjusting well to dark and dimly-lit environments. They often experience vision loss in their mid-periphery with some vision in their very far periphery.
In some forms of Retinitis pigmentosa, prolonged, unprotected exposure to sunlight may accelerate vision loss.
However, since Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disorder and runs in families, the disease is not preventable. Therefore, if someone in a family is diagnosed with retinal degeneration, it is strongly advised that all members of the family contact an eye care professional. There is no known cure at present.
What Are the Symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa?
Normal visual acuity in early stages, possibly progressing to no light perception
Visual field loss progressing to loss of peripheral vision
Night blindness
Decreased response to magnification
Need for more light
February is retinitis pigmentosa awareness month.
Learn more about this potentially disabling condition characterised by night blindness and "tunnel vision”.
What is Retinitis pigmentosa?
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an eye condition characterised
by progressive loss of visual field, diminished dark adaptation (night blindness)
and damage to the retina. In patients with retinitis pigmentosa, peripheral
(side) vision is lost, making moving around safely difficult. Thirty million people
worldwide are afflicted with age-related macular degeneration
and retinitis pigmentosa.
What causes Retinitis pigmentosa?
Retinitis pigmentosa is caused by mutations in genes that are
active in retinal cells. Gene mutations are programmed into cells at the
time of conception. Retinitis pigmentosa is not caused by injury, infection or
exposure to any toxic substance.
What Are the symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa?
Many people with retinitis pigmentosa disease retain some sight all their lives. Others may go completely blind from Retinitis pigmentosa, in some cases as early as childhood. Patients with Retinitis pigmentosa have trouble adjusting well to dark and dimly-lit environments. They often experience vision loss in their mid-periphery with some vision in their very far periphery.
In some forms of Retinitis pigmentosa, prolonged, unprotected exposure to sunlight may accelerate vision loss.
However, since Retinitis pigmentosa is an inherited disorder and runs in families, the disease is not preventable. Therefore, if someone in a family is diagnosed with retinal degeneration, it is strongly advised that all members of the family contact an eye care professional. There is no known cure at present.
What Are the Symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa?
Normal visual acuity in early stages, possibly progressing to no light perception
Visual field loss progressing to loss of peripheral vision
Night blindness
Decreased response to magnification
Need for more light
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Aspergers Syndrome
ASPERGERS SYNDROME
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.
The most distinguishing symptom of Aspergers Syndrome is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Children with Aspergers Syndrome want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors. Other characteristics of AS include repetitive routines or rituals; peculiarities in speech and language; socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers; problems with non-verbal communication; and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.
Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. They may approach other people, but make normal conversation impossible by inappropriate or eccentric behavior, or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest.
Children with AS usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor play equipment. They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.
An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior. It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy
With effective treatment, children with Aspergers Syndrome can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging. Many adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.
What is Asperger Syndrome?
Asperger syndrome (AS) is a developmental disorder. It is an Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one of a distinct group of neurological conditions characterized by a greater or lesser degree of impairment in language and communication skills, as well as repetitive or restrictive patterns of thought and behavior.
The most distinguishing symptom of Aspergers Syndrome is a child’s obsessive interest in a single object or topic to the exclusion of any other. Children with Aspergers Syndrome want to know everything about their topic of interest and their conversations with others will be about little else. Their expertise, high level of vocabulary, and formal speech patterns make them seem like little professors. Other characteristics of AS include repetitive routines or rituals; peculiarities in speech and language; socially and emotionally inappropriate behavior and the inability to interact successfully with peers; problems with non-verbal communication; and clumsy and uncoordinated motor movements.
Children with AS are isolated because of their poor social skills and narrow interests. They may approach other people, but make normal conversation impossible by inappropriate or eccentric behavior, or by wanting only to talk about their singular interest.
Children with AS usually have a history of developmental delays in motor skills such as pedaling a bike, catching a ball, or climbing outdoor play equipment. They are often awkward and poorly coordinated with a walk that can appear either stilted or bouncy.
An effective treatment program builds on the child’s interests, offers a predictable schedule, teaches tasks as a series of simple steps, actively engages the child’s attention in highly structured activities, and provides regular reinforcement of behavior. It may include social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy
With effective treatment, children with Aspergers Syndrome can learn to cope with their disabilities, but they may still find social situations and personal relationships challenging. Many adults with AS are able to work successfully in mainstream jobs, although they may continue to need encouragement and moral support to maintain an independent life.
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