“ Parents Support Group,” Workshop Report
Two days workshop on “Parents Support Group” was organized by AFFWA on 21st and 22nd August 2023. The session was attended by parents, educationist, special educators and counsellors.
On Day 1 of the workshop;
The speaker from Sarthak Education Trust, initiated the session by educating the audience to enhance the child’s normal development by early identification and interventions.
Then, a video clipping was played in which the art and craft products made by children with special need at the Umeed organisation was shown.
Next, Mrs. Seikho talked about the importance of sensitization of teachers in inclusive set-up. She explained in detail different teaching and classroom strategies to promote inclusive environment.
Furthermore, after a high tea, discussion on healthy development of cognitive, physical, social and emotional domain of a child with special needs was elaborated.
Speaker Mrs. Ammita Baruah from Action for Autism explained the Autism spectrum disorder, identification process, interventions and treatment plan.
Then, Mrs. Shivani Dhillon shared ways to overcome stress and encouraged parents to accept their child and embrace their identity.
Later, Holistic home based therapeutic approach was discussed in which different phases such as understanding the disability, acceptance and early intervention, discover the x factor, make a common plan, need of love and support was addressed to help parents understand ways to deal with their child and fulfill his needs.
At last, few relaxation techniques and ways to manage stress was introduced as a tool to deal with day to day pressure and negative feelings parents and child faces.
On Day 2 of the workshop;
Firstly, a detailed session on inclusive education, how to incorporate cross pedagogy, managing diverse class groups, issues faced by children with special needs and how every stake holder can help them achieve desirable goals was explained by SCERT team.
Next, behavioural problems, identification of problems and how to deal with it was addressed.
Later, detail discussion was done to spread awareness on unique disability ID (UDID) project by Department of empowerment of person with disabilities, Ministry of Social justice and empowerment.
At last, Mrs. Anita Sinha, President AFFWA(R) introduced the Priyasmita project which will provide support to caregivers of child with special needs and another objective of this group is to sensitize the community about the needs of special children.
Overall, the workshop focused on providing information to empower parents of children with special needs and the aim of this workshop was to create awareness of welfare, treatment and therapy that can be provided to special children.