Inclusive schooling - Hope my decision is right!

Its quite some time I blogged., mostly because of priority changes, when there is minimum time. As years go by, the differences between Abhi and any other kid of his age, seems to be increasing. Though the society awareness is increasing, Our Indian society has to change a lot still. It is always a concern in parents mind about their child’s future.

    Now Abhi is in 9^th grade and which means lot of studying and writing in Indian education system!. He writes very slow, so he needs my help in completing his notes/homework.  I am very sure that he has a knowledge to get a score of 70-75%, but manages to get only 55-60. This I feel due to his writing difficulties. When he tries to complete an answer, he omits punctuations, sometimes grammar in the sentences.

    All these have made me to look for the additional facilities and concessions (like scribe) given by the government for these children. I feel I have to start the process by this mid-year so that for the 10^th examination we will be ready. Now I have very little info on the process itself.

Sometimes I have even thought whether I did it right to put Abhi in a normal school.? Am I giving too much pressure on him? Was there any alternative to this education which I didnt look into or aware of? 

A ver special day for me.

The school annual day was on Saturday the 30th.The day was one of my special days to cherish. Abhi sang on the stage as part of the School Choir. Another happy event was, as part of the school annual report presentation, the bird photos taken by Abhi was displayed and his name was announced. There were no words to describe my happiness.

Photography is his latest interest. My aim is to give maximum exposure for him and I have to make sure that he is not left out in this fast world.

Today when I went to school, the teacher in charge of the Choir, appreciated me for my effort in bringing up Abhi. That made me to think – is it my effort or is it his enthusiasm that needs a great pat. Infact his enthusiasm and self inspiration is what makes me go about. By Gods grace let that light be always there in him.

One day you can be a singer or writer

This month is the time when I feel so down with regard to Abhi. Because July the school has Sports Day. Till 5th class, he was able to participate, because there were small games or some cultural dances, where he was given small roles. But from 6th onwards, its real sports, atheletics etc and Abhi cant participate in these. During the practice sessions, almost for 2 weeks, I used to send him story books for reading.

One day I almost cried, when he asked "Amma, why cant I also join?". Another sad part for him is , I opted him out of Scouts. I asked him to join choir. I always try to give positive replies, telling him that, "Everyone may not be good in everything. May be you can sing , write etc - One day you can be a singer or writer, if you concentrate on these". Though I tell such things, I can see and understand how bad my son must be feeling inside.

This is one disappointing thing I find when we include special needs children in normal stream. Atleast in India. Everyone still need to accept others in the society who are not as fast as themselves. I dream of someday, when everyone slows down a bit to give chance for such co-citizens. Not only in schools, but in all walks of life. Though there are many changes and awareness happening these days, I feel India is backward with regard to this.

Another year has gone by!

Another academic year has gone by and Abhi has been promoted to Class VII. Every year it is one my joyous moments, which words cannot express. Tommorow I have to pay the fees for class VII. Sometimes I still cannot believe this. Let me pray to GOD and thank him for all the helping hands he is giving.

GOD's hidden hands.

When every academic year starts, I will have anxiety, because Abhi will have new teachers. I will have to explain the problems to them and get excuses for his incompleted class works etc. Though by now most of the teachers know him.
This year, since he is now in middle school (!) he will have regular exams. The mid term exams he was not able to complete papers like English, History etc. The class teacher asked me to meet the Principal. With apprehension I enetered her room. But she is one of the very understanding and supportive teachers I have seen. She said she can give 1 hour extra time for Abhi for the exams, which the Govt themselves allows. If he is able to complete within that time then well and good. We will see for the quarterly exams how he fares. She was very encouraging in telling that she has seen much improvement in Abhi and if this doesn't work well, we will see what else can be done.
My mind became relaxed and I am now confident that Abhi will be able to write better.

I have complete faith in GOD and believe that this is his way of doing things.His hidden hands will be with us to Help when required.
Power of GOD is great!

Abhi started swimming lessons!

Every academic year, I get the same feeling, tension, anxiety etc. What the new teachers may tell... Whether they will accept abhi's difficulties. The start of this year, the new reason for my anxiety was that the school have made sports activity compulsory for every child from class VI onwards. The students will be taken to YMCA grounds, as the school do not have enough ground space for different sports like cricket, football etc.

With a heavy heart, I went to talk to the Principal. She said, Abhi can join swimming and try it out. May be it will do good for him.She said she has watched him for the past years and definitely he will enjoy with the other kids. He would not want to be left alone. Infact, her confidence on Abhi, was the real confidence booster for me. Also she said I can accompany to the pool if I feel so. I came out of the room, thanking God, that there are people around us who understand, support and care.
I talked with Abhi and he was excited about swimming. The first day, he was very much scared. Though the water level was upto the chest only, he was not having the grip of the feet. I talked with the coaches also. Let him learn in his own pace.

Water therapy is a very good for improving the muscle strength, coordination etc. It works on almost all the muscles i think. As the Prinicipal has told, it may be really good for Abhi.

Bird watching!

Start of this Summer vaccation , we had an unexpected opprtunity of bird watching from our terrace.

Abhi also enjoyed it. I think they were some type of herons. They have built their nests on the tamarind tree near our house. We could watch them from our terrace.

We used to go to the terrace in the evening, with snacks, water and all. Have a mini picnic there watching the birds. Sometimes Abhi's friends also join. We took many photos of the birds.

Class project

Abhi's class V project on public places like Roads, buses, public buildings, parks etc.

Pictures from old books were cut and pasted on to cardboards. Thermocol was used for base as well as for cutting out buildings.

Tree shapes were cut from carboards and coloured. We enjoyed making the project together.

Abhi's Kaoake

There is a saying "when one door closes another one opens." Everyone will have some talent in them.

I found that Abhi is very much interested in music. Who knows what he may become in future. The video shows Abhi singing his favourite"oh oh sanam" song from Dasavatharam movie. This was taken during the New year 2009 programs organized in our apartments.

Improving Fine motor movements of fingers

With Abhi, the main problem is with his fine motor movements using his fingers. I could make out the difference with his right hand fingers. He wont be able to do a smooth movement of his fingers. I could see the stiffness of the muscles when he tries to do drawing curves/circles etc. What ever comes quite naturally for any child, it seems not at all possible for Abhi. I have to sit with him and make him practice doing the activity.

As I have always found that to make the children sit for sometime, especially with a dull activity which you mention as exercise or therapy, is very difficult. Our therapist also know that. So we device art techiniques which include many activities. So depending on the child’s interest we have to change the approach to make them do the activity.
One very good activity to improve muscle strength of fingers is to make dough from the wheat flour etc as for chapathi/roti.
An alternate and interesting variety will be to prepare paper maché. This involves more than one activity for fingers.

• Tearing of paper with tip of fingers
• Mixing glue and water (wrist movement)
• Mixing the paper/tissue pieces with glue-water and making dough
• To make the activity more interesting make shapes out of this dough and colour them.

To get an idea see the below link.

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2008/08/paper-mach-art-secret-pen-holder.html

One more thing which I realised is, if I make Abhi do OT as exercise or OT activity, I also get disappointed or frustrated thinking,"God, how long I have to continue this to see the improvement in him". Like the doctor has said once, it wont happen in a day as miracle. So I also stopped to say about OT activities, instead tell only about what all way you can do ART.

Colours n shading n sticking

Abhi's OT therapist has asked him to do lot of shading activity using crayons and colour pencils. This improves his finger steadiness and coordination for writing drawing etc.

As usual, to make abhi sit and do an exercise or OT acitivity is difficult. But MAY BE doing an art is possible. And it worked, he was interested to make a photo album.

See the post to make a KIDS PHOTO ALBUM :

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2008/06/kids-photo-album.html

Passing Madhyama Hindi Exam

March 1oth 2008, the result for Madhyama exam by Hindi Prachar sabha was on the net. I was very very happy to see Abhi's and his friends roll numbers in the list of students who have successfully passed the exam.

As I have said before, attempting the competitive exam itself was an achievement. It is a really a very good effort from his part and is a great encouragment and inspiration.

The other side of the story, he keeps asking for more computer game time for each of his good marks. (thats the deal between us!)

Working with beads

The occupational therapist suggested threading the beads for abhi, to improve his concentration and fine finger controls.
So to make it more iteresting, i got beads of different colours and sizes. With my little help, he made few garlands. These I used those garland for guruvayoorappan's photo, one he gifted to our neibour's little girl. And another chain with a matching bracelet. And abhi was very happy that he made those gifts.

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2008/02/bead-garlands.html

Another achievement for Abhi ....

Today Abhi and his friend Adithya, wrote "Madhyama" Hindi exam. I was very much happy that he wrote to his best, though I chided him for leaving few known questions in the second paper. But I really felt sad when he told that he couldn't get time. I know that with his speed, he could do only 60-70% as any other child of his age.

Actually towards the last lap of the study, I myself felt whether it was too big a chunk for Abhi. As before, he wanted to do along with his friend. So I dont want to let him down. Attempting the exams without fear itself is a good achievement.


Dakshina baratha Hindi Prachar Sabha

Children like collecting junk....

I am very sure that at one point of time, mothers lose patience over the collections of pebbles, shells, bits and pieces which the kids bring in. Even many of us also do. Turn the junk into new useful, decorative pieces.

But dont discourage children. Give them ideas and make them build something new from their collections like the link below shows!! Decorative things like this "kiddy Aquarium" below, hand painted paper weights, small gifts etc can be made.

Visit my post http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2024

I am inspired by my son

Everyone will have (or should have) a person who have inspired in life - a role model. or sometime more than one in different stages of life. Thats what exactly happening to me.

For me it has been mostly my father who has inspired me. But these days I know my inspiration comes from Abhi also. I always wonder at his self inspiration. Also he does not like to be discouraged. Inspite of his health issues, movement restrictions, he wants to try out everything - possible.

If we ask him what he want to become, his prompt answer will be pilot!

These days he is practising yo-yo along with his friend Adithya. He wanted to do all the yo-yo tricks as his gfriend does. So I have to learn first and then teach him!!!!!! And I thinks in another angle also - it is gong to improve his concentration and hand movements!

Yes..I am proud to tell that I am inspired by Abhi.

Paper cutting

Paper cutting is a good exercise for hand eye coordination.

Draw pictures and shapes with thick marker pens. Use craft scissors which the child will not get hurt. When kids use knife or scissors, always be present with them. Adult supervision is essential.

http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/making-ginger-bread-men.html

Working with different materials and texture - create an Art

As I have told in my previous post, using different materials and different activities the children
with a little help from parents can enjoy doing art.

To enjoy creating a art from tits and bits around your home, visit
http://homecraftideas.blogspot.com/2007/10/simple-and-interesting-junk-art-for.html

Children will enjoy collectin all the things required.

The art involves,
using sand which can be spread by using different fingers and thumb. This improves the finger movements.
paper cutting - hand eye coordination. If cutting is difficult on pencil drawing, draw with thick marker pens.
colouring - using of brushes, colour combinations
paper boats - doing the paper folds will improve finger movements , hand-eye coordination and concentration

Sky is the limit for our imagination!

Working with different materials and texture

Different materials found in and around our home can be used to improve hand sensitisation, finger movements, concentration etc. Some things which I use are listed down

• Sand, salt, kolam mavu, rice flour etc can be used. Our good old tradition putting kolam or rangoli is a very good activity for improving the fine finger movements! Even though for kolum we use thumb and index finger mostly, for our activity the children may be asked to use one by one finger and the thumb.


• Simple paper cuttings. Draw figures, shapes etc on coloured, textured papers and cut along the lines. Initially thick lines can be drawn with marker or thick sketch pens.


• Sticking beads, pebbles, grains, seed etc in a particular design

Sorting Variety of beans

This is a very good activity for the finer movements of the fingers. Mix different size and color beans and sort them into as many boxes or containers.

The problem I find these days is that when I tell we have to do some exercise, abhi's face changes and he does not show interest to do the activities.

One way to make the activity interesting is , sit along and do it as a game as who sorts first, who wins more no of games etc. i think for sometime this will work....!