Kochi: A classroom in Darul Uloom High School, Pulleppady, has a special class once a month. But there is a difference from the routine; the classes are held for parents instead of children.
The classes are conducted by Autism Club - an initiative of Deepthy Mathews with her husband Biju Issac. Their son - ten-year-old Sam - is autistic and the inspiration for their relentless work to provide better training for parents of specially abled children. Deepthy, a software engineer by training who later became a teacher, has even developed applications to make the training sessions easier and more effective.
The sessions have various simple exercises like Lazy 8, Neck Roll and Double Doodle and various games that involve the parents and children alike. “These activities are modelled on the Holistic Approach towards Neuro Developmental Learning Efficiency (HANDLE) concept that aims at helping autistic children to have better social skills along with improvement in handwriting, speech and memory retention. But the major contribution should be from parents. They need to spend quality time with their children. Parents should mould the children with these exercises and games. That involvement should be natural. Many of the parents are frustrated by the fact that their children are autistic. They should accept the reality and their attitude matters a lot in looking after the children,” says Deepthy.
Started in 2013, the meet is organised once every month on the school premises. “My son Abhishek attends occupational therapy. He is 15 years old and at times it is difficult to manage him when we go to public places like malls and theatres. This is the first time I’m attending a session like this. I am certain it’ll benefit him and also in developing a stronger bond between us,” says Maya, one of the parents.
Deepthy is also one of the forces behind Little Savants, a school entirely dedicated to children with autism. The school, that functions only on Saturdays, involves children in games and activities designed exclusively for them.