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8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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GRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER Issue#
JagruthiAIKYA Newsletter
August 2014
From the Director
Friends,
Let's learn more on Learning Disabilities in this issue
which is invisible and therefore can be extremelytraumatic.
LDis a childhood disorder characterized by difficulty with
certain skills such as reading or writing in individuals with
normal intelligence.Learning disabilitiesaffect the ability
to interpret what one sees and hears or the ability to link
information from different parts of the brain. These
limitations can show up in many ways as specific
difficulties with spoken and written language,
coordination, self-control, or attention. Such difficultiesextend to schoolwork and can impede learning to read or
write, or to do math.
Learning disabilities can be lifelong conditions that, in
some cases, affect many parts of a person's life: school or
work, daily routines, family life, and sometimes even
friendships and play. In some people, many overlapping
learning disabilities may be apparent. Other people may
have a single, isolated learning problem that has little
impact on other areas of their lives.
This is precisely how a child with a learning
disability might tend to see or read words.
http://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/article.htmhttp://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/article.htmhttp://www.medicinenet.com/learning_disability/article.htm8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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he parents of an LD child go through a series of emotions
fore truly accepting the child and his problem. These
tages are totally unpredictable. A parent may move from
age-to-stage in random. Some parents skip over stages
hile others remain in one stage for an extended period.
hese stages could be as follows:
ENIAL: There is really nothing wrong! Thats the way I
as as a childnot to worry! Hell grow out of it!
LAME: You baby him! You expect too much of him. Its
ot from my side of the family.
EAR: Maybe theyre not telling me the real problem! Is it
orse than they say? Will he ever marry? Go to college?
aduate?
NVY: Why cant he be like his sister or his cousins?
OURNING: He could have been such a success, if not for
e learning disability!
ARGAINING: Wait till next year! Maybe the problem
ll improve if we move!
ANGER: The teachers dont know anything. I hate th
neighborhood, this schoolthis teacher.
GUILT: My mother was right; I should have used clo
diapers when he was a baby. I shouldnt have work
during his first year. I am being punished for somethi
and my child is suffering as a result.
ISOLATION: Nobody else knows or cares about my chil
You and I are against the world. No one e
understands.
FLIGHT: Lets try this new therapyMadhu says
works! We are going to go from clinic to clinic un
somebody tells me what I want to hear!
Again, the pattern of these reactions is tota
unpredictable. This situation is worsened by the fact th
frequently the mother and father may be involved
different and conflicting stages at the same time (e
blame vs. denial; anger vs. guilt). This can ma
communication very difficult.
The good news is that with proper help, most LD childr
can make excellent progress. There are many success
adults such as attorneys, business executives, physician
teachers, etc. who had learning disabilities but overcam
them and became successful. Now with special educati
and many special materials, LD children can be help
early.
- Parvathy Vishwanath
GRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13 2
A parents support and understanding is the primerequirement for a child to cope up with LD.
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13
Learning Disabilities LDEvery individual with a learning disability is unique and shows a different combination and degree of difficulties. A
common characteristic among people with learning disabilities is uneven areas of ability, a weakness within a sea of
strengths. For instance a child with dyslexia who struggles with reading, writing and spelling may be very capable
of math and science. There often appears to be a gap between the individuals potential and actual achievement.
Learning Disabilities is an umbrella term describing a number of other, more specific learning disabilities:
DyslexiaA language and reading disability
DyscalculiaProblems with arithmetic and math concepts
DysgraphiaA writing disorder resulting in illegibility
DyspraxiaProblems with motor coordination
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD)Difficulty processing and remembering language-related
tasks
Non-verbal Learning Disorder (NvLD)Trouble with nonverbal cues, e.g. body language, poor
coordination, clumsy
Visual Perceptual Deficit (VPD)Reverses letters, cannot copy accurately, eyes hurt and itch, loses place,
struggles with cutting
Aphasia/Dysphasiatrouble understanding spoken language, poor reading comprehension
LEARNING
DISABILITIES
Dyscalculia Dysgraphia
Dyspraxia
Aphasia
VPD NvLD
CAPD
Dyslexia
LD An Overview
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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AGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13 4
Learning Disabilities A Quick Glance
Disability Signs & Symptoms Strategies
Dyslexia Reads slowly and painfully
Has trouble with spelling Difficulty with math
computations
Has difficulty with hand
writing
Use books with large print an
big spaces between lines Use multi-sensory teaching
methods
Dyscalculia Difficulty understanding
concepts of place value,
quantity, etc
Difficulty in understanding
fractions
Challenged with handlingmoney
Allow use of fingers
Use diagrams for math
concepts
Use colored pencils to
differentiate problems
Dysgraphia Difficulty with cursive writing
Copying or writing is slow
Has unfinished words or
letters
Use oral exams
Allow use of wide-ruled pape
Provide notes to reduce the
amount of writing required
Dyspraxia Poor balance and appears
clumsy
Poor hand-eye coordination
Shows possible sensitivity to
touch
Distressed by loud noises
Avoid touching from behind o
getting too close
Whisper when working one t
one with the child
Central Auditory Processing
Disorder Distracted by background
noises
Difficult to stay focussed
May process thoughts slowly
Allow 5-6 seconds to respond
for your questions
Stress key words and use
intonation
Non-verbal Learning Disorder Difficulty following multi-step
instructions
Trouble recognizing body
language
Implement a modified schedu
or creative programming
Give proper verbal cues
Visual Perceptual Deficit May have reversals: b for d; p
for q, etc
Cannot copy accurately
Allow use of computer
Use large print books
Restrict copying tasks
Aphasia/Dysphasia Difficulty understanding
spoken language
Poor reading comprehension
Use simple sentences
Write main concepts on boar
Practice story mapping
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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You are not alone!Parents are often baffled by the problems presented by a child with learning disabilities. Often this invisible disabili
does not become obvious until a child reaches school age. Even then, difficulties may be subtle and hard to recognize
Being told that your child has a disability can be as traumatizing as learning of a family member's sudden death. Man
parents are stunned by such news. Receiving such a message can produce overwhelming emotions of shock, disbelief
anxiety, fear, and despair. Within that moment, research has shown that some parents cannot distinguish between th
unconscious wish for an idealized normal child from an unthinkable, sudden reality of one who is not.
For some parents, just trying to comprehend the disparity between their desires for their child and the disability that
exists compounds their emotional and intellectual efforts to adjust to the situation. They may feel grief, depression, o
shame. Some may also ask questions of "why me" and conclude that they are being punished for sins or bad acts of th
past. Depending on the severity of the disability and the magnitude of the demand for coping, a few parents may even
contemplate death for the child or themselves. These thoughts represent an all-encompassing need to achieve inner
peace.
Well, dear parents, in this battle you are not alone! In India, around 310% of school going population has been
diagnosed with various learning disabilities. All that is needed is whole-hearted acceptance and steps taken to rule ou
the odds.
Tips for helping parents accept their child's disability
Raising a special child takes 180% of parenting. Often a spouse or siblings feel left out. Consider the following:
1. Family Reward Chart. List several special things to do. When a reward is due, have the LD/ADHD child pick from th
list. (It could be as simple as a trip to the park.) When the family goes or does the special event, others in the family ca
compliment the special child because they are all rewarded. (Builds self esteem too!!)
2. Try to maintain family dinners as much as possible. Each family member should tell what happened during the day
3. Mom and Dad need to support one another. If one has given a rule or punishment, the other should support and
enforce what has been said. NEVER allow the child to come between you and your spouse. If you disagree with what
been done, do it later when the child is not around.
The above are only a few tips that help in raising an LD. Parent group can often offer more tips and most importantly
offer you parental support that you need.
JAGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13
Together WE can make a DIFFERENCE!
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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AIKYA My Beaconby Komalavalli
There are times when we find ourselves questioning,
What am I doing with my life? I am sure, many of you
ut there would have asked yourself the same and
ometimes find it difficult to face the answer if it was notwhat you thought you knew. Or rather, I was one who
dreaded the question clearly because I wasnt doing what I
ver wanted to do..! I have always believed that our
nnermost desires know way better than our questioning
nd rational minds. At one point, this thought kept hitting
me hard, time and again and I found myself wavering
verywhere like a lost traveler in a terrifying tempest,
rying to quench my quest for the very question. And then,
AIKYA happened.
t was a warm Monday morning as I kept walking the busy
oads of Mylapore, trying to find AIKYAs location. And
when I finally reached the orange building, I did a double
ake at the sign board that said Enter at your own risk!
Only a moment later did I read the next line Beware of
dogs. Having startled thus by the sign board, I chuckled to
myself and entered through the creaky black iron gate with
no idea what to expect next. And as I was waiting there in
he front room, a small boy with neatly combed hair and
idy uniform peeped out from behind a door and gave me a
heerful smile; I smiled back. It was, indeed, not what I hadxpected and that cleared all the fog around my mind.
There was a wooden cupboard nearby, inside I saw
beautiful pearl necklaces, garlands made of plastic flowers,
ot more and a small crayon sketch of the sun rising
between two mountains, drawn on the white notice board.
t took me by surprise when I learnt from Ms. Parvathy
Vishwanath, the Founder-Director, that the kids there were
he owners of those wonderful creations. And thus began
my days at AIKYA and each day was a surprise with thosekids.
My actual interaction with the kids began the next day. The
lasses had already begun when I entered. There was a
group of 5 children sitting with their teachers and carefully
writing something. I went there and was thinking, unsure
how to start. Just then a question came from a boy, Are
you our teacher?I was clearly surprised by that and
before I could open my mouth to answer, another da
Which subject?All I could do was manage a smile an
greeted them. I got a chorus Good morning, Miss
with a familiar tone that reminded me of my scho
days. And with that came one more question fro
another boy, Hi, I am Kumail. What is your name?couldnt hide my surprise and introduced myself a
told that I will be taking computers for them. And fro
that day, I am fondly called the Computer Miss.
These kids, they love to learn computers and jum
around for their turns and reserve schedules eve
before the day starts. Each one is so unique that on
gets to learn a lot from them, each day. They are taughto type using MS Word and did I mention fingering.
Yes, they are well-versed at that. I am a mess when
comes to fingering the keys and in fact, I have started t
learn how to actually type from one of them! On
thing that astounds me every time about these kids i
that, they are never superficial. They do thing
meticulously and when they finish something it i
always perfect. They never get tired of tryin
something new and will never give you No for a
answer.
I owe my sincere thanks to Parvathy Ma'am for lettin
me be a part of AIKYA and the bigger cause for whic
she has dedicated herself. Gone are the days when
groggily got up for work, disinterested. Now, ever
dawn reminds me how much being at AIKYA ha
changed my life and has indeed been my beacon
guiding light for the lost traveler.!
AGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13 6
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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Shop, shop all the way!
Say Yoga, They Go Gaga
AGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13 7
Teacher: Who wants to go veggie shopping?
Kids(in unison and among themselves): MeMe Me!
Hey you went last week. Its my turn now.
Our kids at AIKYA are taken for weekly grocery shopping
and this is the typical scenario one would get to see when
hat time of the week comes. They are so enthusiastic to
venture out and explore the neighborhood. And when it
comes to colorful grocery shopping all hands will be up in
he air!
They do not hesitate to interact with the staff there and
without any chaos pick the vegetables carefully and wait
o pay bills on their own. Before the staff calculates with
he computer, these kids are so fast and are ready with the
amount to be paid. After happily getting back, they share
he experience with their friends and report to the
eachers with the balance amount.
And their calculation seldom goes wrong..!
Our kids shopping at the nearby grocery shop,
settling bills on their own and reporting their
purchase. Like everyone, they love shopping too!!
YogaSay this word and the kids jump up and down.
is an integral part of anyones daily routine and our ki
here have known this better.
At the strike of 11, all of them get eager and keep
reminding their teachers that it was time for their yog
sessions. They assemble in the hall, clear the furniture
on their way; few boys bring mats and lay them on the
floor and within minutes all are set.
And the amazing part is, they are all so well trained th
at the mention of a postures name they twist their
bodies gracefully and astound you like pros!
The dedication and discipline that they show during
their yoga sessions is sure to take anyone by surprise.
8/11/2019 AIKYA Newsletter August
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About AIKYAJagruthi
AIKYA aims to Improve and enhance functional capabilities of persons with special need
like Autism, ADHD, DS and other Learning Disorders..
Early Intervention Programs for Children with delayed development (0-3 Years
School for children with ADHD, Autism, DS, Learning Disabilities and Slow learn
Therapy services
Vocational training
Training in sports, music, dance, yoga, instrumental music
Training in computers
Recreation Centre with indoor sports and GYM
Work Centre for adults
Training and counseling for parents of children with special needs
Short term training courses for parents and volunteers
-----------------------------
Do you want to volunteer with AIKYA?
Please call 9444960643 or mail [email protected]
Where are we located?
2/9, Karpagambal Nagar Main Road,
Luz, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Mobile: 9444960643.
Support us: Volunteer / Donate / adopt a project / adopt a child
Visit our Website:www.aikya.org
Donate:http://www.AIKYA.org/payment.asp
Connect with us:
AGRUTHI AIKYA NEWSLETTER | Issue #13
Myths about LD
1. Individuals with LD
have low intelligence
2. LD can be cured
3. Adults dont have LD
4. The only kind of LD is
Dyslexia
5. Watching too much TV
causes LD
6. Vaccinations can cause
LD
Facts about LD
1. There is no
connection between LD
and low IQ
2. LD cannot be cured
but managed
3. Children with LD
become adults with LD
4. There are many
types of LD:
Dyscalculia,
Dysgraphia, etc
5. Watching TV does
not cause LD though it
is good to avoid
6. Vaccinations do not
cause LD
Jagruthi
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.aikya.org/http://www.aikya.org/http://www.aikya.org/http://www.aikya.org/payment.asphttp://www.aikya.org/payment.asphttp://www.aikya.org/payment.asphttp://aikyas.blogspot.in/https://twitter.com/AIKYACentrehttps://www.facebook.com/AIKYAcentrehttp://www.aikya.org/payment.asphttp://www.aikya.org/mailto:[email protected]