Graduation day with a difference

Source:The Hindu Special Correspondent,April 1,2010

It was held at Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children

Moving ahead:Children of Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children presenting a programme in Chennai on Wednesday.

CHENNAI: Unmindful of the audience, 14 students danced along with their mothers, narrated the ‘thirsty crow' story in their own style and rendered a nursery rhyme at the graduation day programme on Wednesday.

What could have been easily passed-off as a yet another school day function took everyone by surprise as the students were in the age group of three to eight years and had completed early intervention programme successfully at Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children, Chennai (MNC).

In all, it was a graduation day with a difference as the ‘Moving Ahead' programme facilitated children with developmental delays or mental retardation to continue school education in special and mainstream schools after the completion of early intervention programme.

For the past few months, these children were guided and directed by the special educators, therapists, combined with music, yoga and play therapies on how to use one's individual strengths through individualised programme plans.

“Over the past four years, 19 students have been successfully enrolled in the mainstream schools. This year, 10 students will move into the mainstream schools and four in special schools from the next academic session starting in June 2010,” said Vimala Kannan, principal of MNC.

On Wednesday, three year-old Shriyaditha and eight year-old Nandini along with their friends showcased their acquired skills. Naresh Krishnan was given a 32 months pre-school training programme while Madumitha underwent a 16 month programme.

After the completion of the intervention programme, the children were able to follow instructions in English and Tamil; eat independently; play with friends; give direction to teachers and fellow students about their needs; and spell three letter words.

S.P. Sarguna Pandian, chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, presented gifts to the children and distributed certificates to parent trainees.

In her special address, she lauded the parents of Exceptional Children for playing the role of teacher-cum-guide and said that the Commission was ready to help them in all possible ways.