Search Results

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can have significant psychological and emotional impacts on the individual. It can be a frustrating and isolating experience, leading to social anxiety, low self-esteem, and difficulty communicating effectively in professional or personal settings. Therefore, seeking talk therapy or psychological counselling for stuttering can be beneficial in helping individuals manage their condition and improve their overall quality of life. Emotional Factors in Stuttering Stuttering is a complex condition that is influenced by a variety of factors, including emotional factors. Some emotional factors that may contribute to stuttering include anxiety, stress, fear, and self-consciousness. Anxiety can play a significant role in stuttering, as people who stutter may experience increased anxiety when they know they will be expected to speak or when they are faced with a stressful situation. This anxiety can cause muscle tension which can make it more difficult for them to speak smoothly, perpetuating the stutter. Stressful life events, such as job loss, divorce, or illness, can also trigger or exacerbate stuttering symptoms. When under stress, individuals may experience physical changes in their bodies that make it harder to speak smoothly. Fear and self-consciousness can also contribute to stuttering. People who stutter may worry about how others perceive them and may avoid speaking in situations out of fear of being judged or ridiculed. This fear and self-consciousness can create a vicious cycle where avoidance of speaking leads to further anxiety and avoidance. It’s worth noting that while emotional factors may contribute to stuttering, they are not the only cause. Stuttering is believed to have a multifactorial aetiology, meaning that there are likely many different contributing factors involved. Approaches Used in Talk Therapy 1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy One type of counselling that may be helpful for individuals who stutter is cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviours that may contribute to stuttering, as well as developing coping strategies and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety and improve communication skills. 2. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Another type of counselling that may be useful for individuals with stuttering is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). This approach emphasizes accepting one’s stuttering as a natural part of oneself while working toward living a fulfilling life despite the presence of the speech disorder. 3. Family Counselling For individuals who stutter, particularly children, Family counselling can be quite helpful. Family members may feel unsure of how to communicate with their loved one who stutters, and counselling can provide education and support to help families understand the disorder and build better communication skills. 4. Group Therapy using Mindfulness Group therapy can be an effective treatment option for individuals who stutter. It provides a supportive environment where individuals can share their experiences and receive feedback from others who are facing similar challenges. In group therapy, individuals can learn mindfulness techniques to manage their stuttering, such as breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and speech strategies like slow speaking and controlled fluency. They can also practice speaking in a safe and non-judgmental environment, which can help increase their confidence and reduce anxiety related to stuttering. It can also provide opportunities for socialization and networking with others who stutter. TAKEAWAY Counselling for stuttering can be conducted in individual or group settings, depending on the client’s needs and preferences. While there is no cure for stuttering, counselling can provide effective strategies for managing the disorder and improving communication skills. It’s important to note that counselling should be used in conjunction with other forms of treatment for stuttering, such as speech therapy. A multidisciplinary approach involving both medical and psychological treatments may provide the best outcomes for individuals with stuttering. #CognitiveBehavioralTherapy #Talktherapy #treatmentforstuttering

Children’s development from birth to age five is aided by early childhood development. It comprises health, nutrition, play, learning, and protection programmes and services that support nurturing care. Children from low-income and marginalised families who do not have access to help are at a significant disadvantage. They will have a restricted vocabulary and learning abilities if they begin school at the age of five without early childhood support. What is early childhood development? If you’ve ever spent time with young children, you’re well aware of their incredible learning abilities. They appear to be learning new abilities and expanding their vocabulary at a breakneck pace. Young children acquire information and learn in a variety of ways at the same time. According to Mrs Sruthi ( checkout her Instagram handel ourlittleplays ) “Parents these days are focusing more on early childhood development. It just doesn’t mean getting the child ready for school.” Early Childhood Development focuses on the overall development of a child like social skills, behavioural, practical, cognitive and motor skills. In the Montessori method the early years child is said to have an absorbent mind. What that means is the child can absorb and learn from the surroundings rather than effortlessly. Several researches have also shown that children can develop a lot of a kills during their early years. So, as a parent or guardian it is important to use this period of child development wisely. At this stage education doesn’t just mean making the child sit in a corner and read books, but it is about getting into the outdoors and learning from surroundings, getting hands on learning from practice life activities, introducing children to early reading and there is a lot more that could be done. Early childhood education has shown to help with Early childhood development in all aspects of the child growth. Get some exciting worksheet f or your kids here What are some important early childhood skills? Courses in early childhood education will assist you in developing a variety of behaviour management techniques. It’s not always simple to form bonds with a group of children who are unfamiliar with you and may be hesitant to put their faith in you. Trust, on the other hand, is precisely what is required to open the door to learning. Parents will want to see that you are liked and trusted by their children. Your boss will be looking for evidence that you’re building positive relationships with the children in your care. Some of the most important early childhood skills would be fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development , communication, physical development, emotional development and listening skills. I’m not sure if am the right person to talk about this as nowadays it’s very important to have a certification for everything. But as a parent, from what I have learnt so far for the sake of my child, these are the most important skills and development a child needs to show during the early childhood period. “There maybe delays here and there but it’s ok. Every child is different and they pick up stuff at different phases. But it’s too much of a delay, it’s important to contact an expert for help rather than looking it up online by ourself. ”says Mrs Vaishnavi Gupta of snippets_from_my_life ”. Why is early childhood important? You may probably guess why kids need to develop and expand throughout time. They can’t stay babies indefinitely, no matter how adorable they are. Professionals who work with children, on the other hand, are far more able to assist kids in learning if they understand how they develop. Where Mrs Ashwini Gnaneshwar of little_av2020 Says ” The quality of a child’s early experiences makes a critical difference as their brains develop, providing strong foundations for learning, health and behaviour throughout life. Child’s brains are build , moment by moment, as they interact with their environments.” For children to achieve their full potential, they need health care and nutrition, opportunities for early learning and responsive caregivers who love them.” Click here to ready about fun toys to encouraging your child . How can we support young children in childhood? As a parent, you want your children to learn everything they can, including math principles, curiosity about the world, and the ability to read and write. According to Mrs Rekha of imperfectllyperfectus “ Research says that children show symptoms of anxiety and depression is because of low quality of relation between their parents.” A quality time playing with family members can play a major role as it helps them have a strong bond, particularly for special children. At the same time playing with children helps reduce stress and improve mental and emotional health in both parent and children. Further, parents can be great influence when it comes to learning of the child at home. The best they can do is to demonstrate the learning and values the want their child to imbibe and not tell him/her what to do. They become role model for the little ones. #childhooddevelopment #EarlyChildhooddevelopment #Earlychildhoodeducation

We bring to you this incredible journey of Ms. Khadija, a wonderful mother, and a true inspiration for all women. She candidly talks about her wonderful life with her son, Burhan who was born with an extra chromosome. Life with Burhan is an inspiring story. I am Khadija mother of Burhan. A little boy rocking his life with an extra chromosome. As a single parent raising a child with special needs. I have been through the phase of depression, anxiety, rejection & self-doubt. “A little boy rocking his life with an extra chromosome.” When Burhan was born, I was unaware of what Down Syndrome was. I felt helpless, and just then I started asking parents around me who had children with special needs. Because only these parents knew what I was going through and shared the reality of raising them with me. I wish that kind of Support every mother gets at the beginning of her motherhood journey, So, then I decided to write blogs about Me & Burhan . How our lives were no different than anyone’s How the world became a better place for me How my child inspired me every day Whenever I encountered questions about my child’s development, I made sure that whatever I explained should stick with them for life, because being ghosted by such things is never an option. “Let’s be The One your child needs” As a mother, I am happy to give my support to anyone who needs it. Today, I have a website that shares our story & Guides. I use this social media platform to spread awareness about Down Syndrome. “I have a vision with me that no one should be unaware of the life of a person with Special Needs” In today’s world, if we ever come across a person with Special Needs or any disabilities: we don’t know how to interact. we lack in conversating with them we get so clueless that we end up staring at them we are not equipped to offer help to them if needed You never know when you have a CHILD with Special Needs at your home, or to your close friend, or any person you relate closely to. At that time, you should be able to support them and understand the need of the family. “I always wonder how my 24 years of education never taught me how to include people with Special Needs in our lives” But I don’t want this environment for my child where people are unaware of his existence. We as a society need to change our perspectives. And I am so happy that today I stand in a crowd where people around me understand Burhan because I talk about it. That’s what I emphasize to parents, TALK ABOUT IT “Unless we tell the world what our child goes through, don’t expect anyone to just understand the whole story” We need to speak and let the people know. Today the young generation is more adaptable to new information. When we speak about our child’s ability, they are the ones who step in and offer support. In my experience, I know very young people, who are still going to school and college, and the way they accepted Burhan is commendable. Kids don’t see flaws they see just tiny humans. We as a mature world try to make them learn the differences. “As I Say to other parents, Living for yourself is an Art” Your child is looking up to you as a role model. Make them believe that their parents/ caregivers/ family are strong, confident, happy & fun-loving in everyday life. You teach your child  not  by teaching them but by being the example you want them to be. If you wish to feature someone on our page, kindly contact us!  #childsdevelopment #ChildrenwithDownSyndrome #downsyndrome #specialneeds

In today’s “ Wall of Fame ” series, we recognize the exemplary contributions of Dr. Prathibha Karanth’s.  Dr. Karanth is the Founder Director and the Managing Trustee of The Communication DEALL Trust in India.  She has won several awards for her outstanding work, authored many books, published hundreds of scientific papers, and has worked relentlessly for children and adults with communication or speech disorders in India. Dr. Karanth’s contributions have carved a special place for India in the global Speech and Hearing community. Here are a few excerpts from our interview. Picture: Dr. Prathibha Karanth Q. Please share with us your typical day as the Director of The Communication DEALL Trust? A typical day would entail attending to administrative issues at the H.O at first. On my consultation days, this would be followed by meeting with families. and later with our senior staff to discuss and follow up matters related to the clinic, diagnostics, training, and affiliates. The rest of the day is taken up with issues related to our continuing scaling up of clinical, training, materials production, and some amount of research including reviews.  Picture: Com- DEALL Parent certification program  Q. What inspired you to pursue Speech and Hearing Sciences? Pure chance. AIISH had just been set up at Mysore and an external examiner for my practical exams of the final year of my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, (who was from Mysore) mentioned the program during my viva, given my interest in Psychology and Communication (I was a debater) and suggested that I might find it interesting! Q. Please share some of your memorable experiences working in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. For me, the most memorable experiences are when non-speaking children acknowledge that I bat for them and relate to me (I have numerous varied instances of these) and when families acknowledge that the help that we provided in early childhood had a significant impact on the life of the child as s/he grew. Picture: Com-DEALL affiliate training                              Picture: Peer group training for staff Q. Has being a woman been a challenge in accomplishing what you have achieved? Yes and no. Apart from the usual prejudices and pressures that were faced by women pursuing a career 50 years ago, in our field, there were unstated assumptions that however good you may be academic, as a woman you were to pursue/better suited for ‘the caring clinical side’! Fortunately, I hailed from a matrilineal community which had instilled in me the confidence that a woman was entitled to pursue her life as she thought fit and need not necessarily go by the patriarchal model. Picture: WAAD Function- Release of awareness posters  Q. Your advice for students aspiring to become Speech-Language Pathologists/ Audiologists? I hope you are in this field because it truly appeals to you. If yes, try to identify aspects of it that you find fascinating and challenging; then pursue it as best as you can along with like-minded professionals within our field as well as other related disciplines. The recognition and money will follow and most important of all the satisfaction of a life well-lived when you eventually look back. Dr. Prathibha Karanth’s Picture: Workshop hosted by TCDT Recommend someone you know for the 1SpecialPlace wall of fame! Mail us at info@1specialplace.com Book a session now #SpeechDisorders #walloffame

In today’s interview series, we bring to you an incredible journey of Ms. Sarah Scott. Ms. Sarah Scott shares her life with Aphasia recovery on her very own YouTube channel. She has thousands of subscribers and loved one’s who support her videos. She lives in the United Kingdom and works with a biopharmaceutical company. We are very delighted to have had this opportunity to chat with her. In this interview, Ms. Scott shares her journey of discovering life with Aphasia. Her story is that of hope, resilience, and inspiration for all of us. You can check out her YouTube channel Picture: Ms. Sarah Scott with her fiancé Mr. Stuart Dickens at their home Q. Please tell us about yourself and your journey of discovering life with Aphasia. My name is Sarah Scott and I will be 31 in August 2021. I am working in a clinic-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of novel cancer immunotherapy products. I had an ischemic stroke when I was 18 at school (like a college/sixth form). At that point in time, I was studying for my A-Levels exam. I was going to university after my exams to study Biology at Swansea. Sarah was lucky to go to the hospital straight away and they found that Sarah had a hole in my heart (PFO). I could not speak at all, could not walk and I had weakness in my right side. Q. What were your immediate thoughts after the diagnosis and during the intervention process? I was in hospital and rehabilitation for 5 months. Even though I couldn’t walk the only goal that I wanted to regain was my speech. The hardest part is I could regain my walking very quickly after my stroke. However, my speech was more of an issue and be more difficult to regain. I was also very upset, I felt very isolated and lonely. Having all of my friends going to university and couldn’t communicate as well. Also, because I was so young going to an adult ward was scary at the time. Q. What would you wish to tell people around the world about aphasia? I know from my experience that people don’t know what aphasia is. Aphasia is when a person has difficulty with their communication. It’s usually caused by damage to the left side of the brain. It is tricky when all of us are different. For example, I have difficulty with my speech, reading, writing, and numbers, but some just can’t speak. However, some tips are not difficult to adhere to; be patient, have a piece of paper and a pen for the person that has aphasia and you, communicate with drawings and gestures too, one topic at a time, minimize or eliminate background noise eg music or tv. Remember we are human too and speech is not the only communication we have. Be kind to each other. Q. Please share with us what motivated you to share your life with aphasia? I was so happy going back to my home but I was doing Speech Therapy in the hospital one session every week. I was regaining some of my words but I felt like my speech was not progressing. So, my mum and I recorded my first video about my story after my stroke and about my aphasia. We were thinking that I could watch it after seeing what my speech was like and our family and friends could watch if they were interested. We didn’t think that strangers would watch it… Like people that have aphasia too or Doctors/nurses/Speech therapists etc! When we realized that people were interested. We wanted to have an updated video every year to track my story about aphasia and we’ve been doing that every year since! Picture: Ms. Sarah Scott on her Engagement Day Q. What is your advice for all persons with aphasia and their loved ones? Be always positive and be hopeful for the future! Having aphasia is tough and it’s not easy. I can drive now, bought a house, have a job and I’ve got a wonderful Fiancé… All of these after having a stroke. You can achieve a wonderful life after having a stroke or brain injury just believe! Picture: Ms. Sarah Scott’s cats Lola – tabby cat and Tilly – black cat Recommend someone you know for the 1SpecialPlace Little Miracles! #aphasiarecovery #aphasiasuccessstory #SpectrumofHope #successstory

In this spectrum of hope series, we chat candidly with a loving mother. Ms. Deepika Sharma is an amazing mother to her son Aariv. She is also an Autism motivational speaker. We are delighted to feature their story. Picture: Ms. Deepika with Aariv Q. Please introduce yourself and Aariv Hi! I am Deepika Sharma proud mommy of Aariv. He is a special child with a very special quality. He is hyperlexic and can read anything given to him. Q. Share with us your journey through Aariv’s diagnosis and intervention    Aariv was diagnosed when he was 3 years old as Autistic. spectrum of hope series.We started his intervention therapy programs when he was 3.5 years of age. We have come a long way from where we began our journey. Q. What is your favorite part about being his mother ? I love being his mother. He is a very positive child and is full of love. He tries his best to complete all the work given to him at home and school. Q. Please share with us what keeps you motivated to be an “Autism Advocate” In my experience, I have seen many people who are not considerate of children with special needs and their parents. Sometimes, this makes us as parents lose hope. I am a proud Autism advocate because I want everyone to know that Autistic children are gems. They bring love into our lives and we all should keep a positive attitude and support one another. Q. What would you wish to tell other parents with neurodiverse children? I wish to tell all parents to keep do everything you can to empower your child. Give them education and try to understand them. We have tried many different therapies and above all our hope kept us going. Today our lives are happy and we are a loving family. Please spread and share this lovely journey to empower all the parents out there! If you wish to feature someone who you think is a “ Little Miracle ”, please write to us at  info@1specialplace.com Book your appointment now For more ideas check out our other blogs #Autism #Autismstory #Motherhood #successstoriesforautism

In this wall of fame series, we are in conversation with Mrs. Pooja Joshi Bhadrige, Founder and Director of Angelman Foundation India .  Angelman Foundation India is a one-of-a-kind organization for children diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. The organization is working tirelessly since 2017 to support children and their parents on their journey with Angelman Syndrome. Here are a few excerpts from our conversation. Picture: Mrs. and Mr. Bhadrige with their son Yug Q. Please share with us the story behind “c India” God gives special children to special parents. This is a saying that most people use while consoling a newly diagnosed special parent. But when we (Swapnil and myself), first got to know about Yug’s diagnosis, we didn’t feel special at all. We thought it was the end of everything. It took us a while to come to terms. Picture: Mrs. and Mr. Bhadrige I am a banker by profession. I worked as a deputy manager in Saraswat Bank. So as time passed, Yug’s doctors and therapists believed that I should be with him 24/7 for his progress. So, there I was, torn between my highly paying and respectable bank job and being a full-time mother and a caregiver to Yug. I decided to be the latter. As Yug grew both size-wise and age-wise, I grew too, as a mother and as a person. Over a period of time, I started to realize that there is more to this. What is it that makes me special? Is it because Yug is a special child or is it something else? I told myself, that I don’t want to be just a special parent. I want to change other people’s perspectives about special children and positively impact their lives. That marked the beginning of my actual journey. I quit my job. (Many of the parents and doctors still don’t believe that I did that). But yes, I did. I knew exactly what I wanted to do. About Angelman syndrome foundation The Angelman syndrome foundation in Chicago is the largest and the oldest foundation for Angelman kids in the world.  As they say, a worried mother does better research than CBI, I started my research on Angelman syndrome . I could not find anything in India. Frustrated, I thought nothing could be done since there is no website for Angelman kids in India. So now I was a full-time mother to Yug, without an actual paying job and sleep-deprived since sleep is rare in Angelman kids. One night as I was struggling with Yug’s sleep, I decided to email the executive director of the ASF Chicago, for setting up a foundation here in India. I did that and forgot about it. I didn’t think that I would get a response from the other side but I did. 3 days after my mail, I got a positive response from Eileen Braun the executive director of ASF. She suggested that we should connect on Skype and she will guide me further. She suggested I start a website first and then gradually form a support group of parents of Angelman kids. After a period of 6 months, on 19th may 2017 (Yug’s 3rd birthday) my website  www.angelmanfoundation.in  was launched. But I knew, only a website was not enough. I wanted to create awareness about Angelman syndrome in India. So, I formed a WhatsApp group with 75 members and counting. Last year the foundation got registered as Angelman Foundation India and it is an exclusive foundation for Angelman parents and kids. Q. What is the vision and mission of “Angelman Foundation India”? The main motto of the foundation is spreading awareness. To Plan and organize workshops and conferences on Angelman Syndrome for Angelman parents. Raising funds for needy special parents to buy equipment, operation charges, doctor fees, therapy fees, etc. Build a respite care center for Angelman kids and parents. Set up clinical trials in India for finding a cure for Angelman Syndrome. Set up an all-exclusive Angelman Syndrome clinic in India. – Building a database of doctors related to Angelman Syndrome. Q. What are some of the services that the foundation provides? AFI regularly conducts Webinars on different AS-related topics. We have done webinars on genetics, neurology, dental issues in AS, diet for AS kids, etc. Picture: Webinar organized by the foundation Q. How does the foundation support caregivers? Most caregivers are parents of AS children. We at AFI believe that special parents always need someone to talk to, someone who can understand their situation, someone who is going through the same experience. At the organization, we try to talk to as many parents as possible to make them feel better about their situation. Q. What would you like to tell caregivers of persons with Angelman Syndrome? Staying positive is the key to a better life. I know it is very difficult. But unless the parents are happy, they cannot pass it to their children. Children will achieve a great milestone if he/ she is happy inside. Taking guilt-free breaks, talking it out, meeting friends, spending quality time with your spouse. I just want to tell the parents and caregivers ‘stay happy stay positive. You can contact Angelman Foundation India on: Instagram: www.instagram.com/angelmanfoundationindia Facebook: www.facebook.com/angelmanfoundationindia Website URL: www.angelmanfoundation.in Recommend someone you know for the 1SpecialPlace Wall of Fame! Mail us  #AngelmanSyndrome #Parentingchildrenwithspecialneeds #Specialneedsindia

Its time to feature another wonderful spectrum of hope! This is an amazing story of Ms. Ruwi and her mother. Ms. Ruwi is a 17-year-old autistic adult and an inspiration to everyone. She is very talented and has several followers on Instagram. Her mother and herself run a beautiful “Home Décor” page called “Thumbi by Ruwi”  Ms. Ruwi makes wonderful home décor gifts. So, we bring to you her amazing story. Q. Please introduce yourself and Ms. Ruwi I am Sulekha, mother of Ruwaydah (Ruwi). I am presently working as a special educator at CADRRE, The Autism School, Trivandrum. Ruwi is turning 18 in a couple of months and is diagnosed with autism. Q. Please tell us more about Ms. Ruwi. Ruwi was diagnosed with autism a few months after she turned 2 years. Young Ruwi and I shifted from Dubai to Bangalore in 2006 where she underwent early intervention at ComDeall for 3 years. She started speaking words a few months into therapy at ComDeall and I also got the opportunity to do my Diploma in Special Education in Autism. Once again back in UAE, she attended regular school for a year and then moved to a special school where she studied for 4 years. When she was 14, we moved to our home town Trivandrum and she started attending school at CADRRE, The Autism School which is the best thing that has happened to her. With all her challenging behaviors, seizures, and sleep disorder, CADRRE helped us look at the strengths that she had and turn those into possibilities for a better adulthood. Q. What is the idea behind launching “Thumbi by Ruwi”? Thumbi by Ruwi was started from the confidence we gained from the skills she had learned at CADRRE. It has been 9 months since then, and we have never had a single week where we haven’t got orders for Ruwi’s work. Ruwi too enjoys working and we post pictures and videos of her work on her Instagram and Facebook page. It started with the idea of keeping Ruwi meaningfully occupied with something that she loves doing. But a few months into it, now we also realize the bigger message that goes out through Ruwi’s work- focus on your child’s ability and not your child’s lack of it. Q. What is your favorite part about being Ruwi’s mother? Every mother’s journey with their child is as unique as the child’s autism itself. My relationship with Ruwi too has evolved over the years. My hopes and agonies, aspirations, and anxieties were different in different phases of Ruwi’s growth. I was an English teacher in a regular school in Dubai and if not for Ruwi, I would have probably never known about autism, wouldn’t have got the opportunity to teach children with autism, or closely interact with families touched by autism. At this point, I am also excited about Ruwi’s growth through Thumbi. Q. What would you like to tell caregivers in the Autism community? 16 years into my journey with autism, I wish I had known a lot of things then which I now know. So, my message goes out to all parents with children newly diagnosed with autism. Your child is unique, your child is not a “tragedy” or something “unfortunate” that has befallen your family. Try your best to help your child, not “fix” your child. Parenting a child with autism can be stressful, reach out for help from professionals, talk to other parents who have walked the path before you. Please spread and share this lovely journey to empower all the parents out there! If you wish to feature someone who you think is a “ Little Miracle ”, please write to us at  info@1specialplace.com Book your appointment For more ideas check out our other blogs #Autism #Autismstory #SpectrumofHope

“ Maasi ” is an online enterprise working for Autistic children and parents. It is founded by an exceptional mother Ms. Gouri Ganti. She is a passionate mother to Ms. Jia who is diagnosed as Autistic. Ms. Gouri founded “Maasi” to help cater to her daughters’ sensory needs along with helping other parents in the journey. “Maasi” is an enterprise that develops sensory toys for children with sensory needs. They believe in helping children to self-regulate and fulfill their sensory needs through their products. Their products are hand-made and customized for every child’s needs. We are delighted to bring to you this lovely interview with the team “Maasi”. Q. Please share with us more about “Maasi” We at Maasi create customised sensory weighted products for kids / individuals with sensory needs /autism spectrum / learning issues / anxiety issues / sleep disorders/ADHD/ bipolar issues. The name Maasi stands for mother’s sister or “maa” “jaisi”. That’s why the tag line made by another just like you. Picture: Ms. Gouri Ganti and Ms. Prasanti (Founders of “Maasi”) Q. What is the inspiration behind “Maasi”? Our need to get products/ toys that would indulge my daughter who is 8 now was the basic motivation initially to research and make these products. Q. What are some of the products “Maasi” designs? We started off with sensory hand fidgets which promote self-play and help on reducing anxiety about new places and new things. We make a wide range of sensory and weighted products like a weighted jacket, weighted blankets, hand weights with handles, weighted lap-pad, sensory foot mats, sensory hand mats, activity mats, name/number/ alphabets boards/ sensory toys like rainbow clouds and sensory pompom window curtains and more. Picture: Products from “Maasi” Q. What are the future plans for the company? We would like to reach out to a wider audience and create customized sensory gifting solutions for kids with needs. Q. What would you like to tell caregivers in the Autism community? I think everyone has their own journey and one should trust that, however, it is always advisable to ask for help and explore various possible ways to help/heal individuals as none of us are alone in this. I would highly advocate focusing on the mental and physical wellbeing of the primary caregiver as if you’re not well you will never be able to help your child. Links to follow Maasi on Instagram , Facebook , website ! Please spread and share this lovely journey to empower all the parents out there! If you wish to feature someone who you think is a “ Little Miracle ”, please write to us #Autism #childrenwithsensoryneeds #disordersanddelays

In today’s interview series we bring to this amazing platform “ Atypical Advantage ” working for people with disabilities. They are a one-of-a-kind platform in the world. People with Disabilities can showcase their talents and skills and get valuable opportunities to connect with corporate agencies. “Atypical Advantage” website serves as a link for people to contact potential agencies looking for their service. In addition, opportunities for mentorship are also provided by the platform. We are delighted to present to you their amazing story. Q. Please share with us more about “Atypical Advantage” Atypical Advantage is the first inclusive platform for skilled people with disabilities to find opportunities for freelancing, full-time jobs, shows, or events; founded in 2020 by Vineet Saraiwala. They can also sell artworks and products made by them to earn a dignified income. Recently, the platform also launched a find jobs portal where people with disabilities can find jobs suitable to their skills and requirements. Atypical Advantage has received recognition for the uniqueness of the vision and for fulfilling the need of the hour. It is bridging supply and demand side inefficiencies by bringing performing artists, service professionals, visual artists, organizations in the skilling arena, Entrepreneurs with disabilities into a single platform and connecting them with prospective clients, corporates, and individuals thereby generating livelihood with dignity at scale. Q. What is the main idea behind launching “Atypical Advantage”? Vineet Saraiwala founded Atypical Advantage with a vision to bring inclusivity in the corporate and professional world. While finding models and artists for past projects, he realized how difficult it was because people with disabilities did not have enough visibility or exposure. He used to lead inclusion for Big Bazaar. ‘While trying to hire artists and models for Big Bazaar campaigns I found no talent platform for people with disabilities that worked in a transparent way,” says Vineet, who is visually impaired. “This is a platform that aims to empower these individual artists so they can empower people across the country”, he says. “A lot of volunteers have come together to make this happen. Our message is simple – Help persons with disabilities create their own buyers.” The platform can generate immense employment opportunities and has appealed to more people with disabilities to join it. Joining the platform does not require any charges or fees. He has also urged corporates and individuals to hire or book talents and buy products from the platform. Q. What are some of the opportunities your platform provides? Atypical Advantage hosts a range of verticals that help people with disabilities showcase their talents and earn a dignified livelihood. Read a blog on Beyond disability here Talent Categories Corporates and individuals can hire talents for full-time jobs or freelancing assignments. Talents can also be booked for performing at special events and shows. Every person with a disability listed on the platform has a unique profile page where their talent, testimonials, images, disability type, location among other things are mentioned. People can filter the categories to find the right person for the job. People with disabilities are listed under their specific talent category which is sorted in Inclusive Hiring, Performing Artists, and Service Professionals. Inclusive Hiring categories are Freelancers like Photographers, Content Writers, Graphic Designers, and Accessibility testers along with Mutual Fund Executives, BFSI Sales Executives, Insurance Executives, Business Correspondents, IT Executives, Chefs & Bakers, Tele callers, and Data Entry Experts. Performing Artists like Models, Dancers, Singers, Musicians, Bands, Motivational Speakers, and other Diverse Performers are listed under this category. Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, Sign Language Interpreters, Artists, Voiceover Artists, Disability Trainers, and Entrepreneurs are categories listed under Service Professionals. Atypical Art Artists with disabilities can list their artworks and paintings in this vertical. Their work is presented with a short description and various images representing the painting in various décor. One can also read more about the artist by clicking on the name of the artist. The artwork listing also mentions the dimensions of the painting, the type of painting (media used to make the artwork), and the year of creation. Store People with disabilities, who make crafts and design products, can list the products they make in this vertical. The products are up for sale for any individual or corporate entity that visits the platform. From festive products to daily essentials, all kinds of products have found their place at the Atypical Store. All products are exclusively made by people with disabilities. Post/Find Jobs Portal This is the most recent addition in the verticals of the platform. Corporates and employers can come to the platform to hire talents from the website. They can post job openings with relevant details which will be visible to all who view the page. People with disabilities can then visit the page to find jobs and browse through job vacancies and apply for the ones they are suitable for. Q. What are the future plans for “Atypical Advantage”? Atypical Advantage aspires to help every person with disabilities out there and encourage them in every endeavor they make. We plan on generating livelihood at scale and getting people with disabilities employment opportunities that align with their skills. Every person with a disability deserves a chance to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves and we would be immensely delighted to help in any way we can. Q. What is a message you would like to give to society? We, as a society, need to change our perspective and mindset when it comes to people with disabilities. People are just as talented and skilled, maybe even more. All they need is the correct opportunity to make their voice heard and their skills showcased. Our personalized Online speech therapy works for people of all ages and ailments, and it’s also convenient and fun. In fact, our customers tell us that they don’t feel like they’re doing “therapy work” throughout their sessions. Speech is how you express yourself; it’s what we hear. Language is not only what you wish to convey; it is also what we believe. When you have excellent speech and language, you can fully express yourself and connect with people. We’ll collaborate with you to create your own specialized strategy and uncover your most effective communication. With our exclusive Online Speech therapy india  exercises and best online speech therapist India, receive cutting-edge treatment from the comfort of your own home. At 1SpecialPlace you have the right to be confident in your communication and to learn from the finest. If you wish to feature someone on our “ Sucess Story ” #AtypicalAdvantage #IdeabehindAtypicalAdvantage #onlinespeechtherapyIndia #PeoplewithAtypicalAdvantage

Women have been inspiring, helming some of the most crucial leadership roles globally. 1SpecialPlace celebrates the tremendous efforts by women in shaping an equal future for all. On this International Women’s Day, we take a look at some inspiring women who are changing the disability area in India. We want to commemorate the astonishing achievements of women in the disability area. Mrs Pratiksha Gupta Pratiksha Gupta is the Founder & CEO of 1SpecialPlace, which is India’s pioneering, award winning Speech Therapy organisation. She has been a practicing Speech Language Therapist and Audiologist since 2007. Pratiksha is a Gold Medalist from University of Mysore and a course topper from University College London. She has worked in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, early intervention centres, and clinics worldwide. Pratiksha has delivered various workshops and trainings for schools, universities and corporates in India and overseas. 1SpecialPlace has bagged various awards for their innovation in the industry including honours by Amazon and AssisTech. Mrs. Kamini Lakhani Mrs. Kamini Lakhani is a founder of SAI Connections and an Autism mother, she says“When Mohit, my son was little, I promised him I would speak up for him and others like him, till they spoke up for themselves. I’m just keeping up my end of the promise. Respectful and dignified treatment of autistic individuals is crucial. Mrs. Anshul Batra Mrs. Anshul Batra is an Autism super mother and a 1Special Woman Awardee, she says “Justkeep moving, don’t stop, don’t give up… believe in your son and yourself. “Apna time Aayega”! Mrs. Bharati Kapoor Mrs. Bharati Kapoor is an outstanding Psychologist and Senior Special Educator. She shares a snippet from her experience “A child who had been referred to us when he was in the 6th for intellectual disability came back to tell us that he was an engineer and working in renewable energy.” Dr. Sonali Kataria Dr. Sonali Kataria is a doctor and mother of two beautiful children. She goes on to say “If you are an entrepreneur, who wishes to have a great workforce of employees, and you have work that can perhaps interest a person with autism, then an autistic person is the best employee for you.” “When you meet a person with autism, look beyond the lost, disconnected child. See the beauty of the human being in there, who is waiting to be accepted for who he is, and included with all of you, in this very world.” Mrs. Gopika Kapoor Mrs. Gopika Kapoor is an author and an Autism mother. She quotes “Never underestimate the potential of an individual with a difference – any difference. We all are capable of contributing meaningfully to society, including people on the spectrum. By underestimating them, we do not allow them to fulfil their potential, and that is doing a disservice to them.” Ms. Gouri Ganta Ms. Gouri Ganta is the founder of “Maasi” an organization that caters to sensory needs of people. She says “I think everyone has their own journey and one should trust that, however, it is always advisable to ask for help and explore various possible ways to help/heal individuals as none of us are alone in this.” Mrs. Sulekha Mrs. Sulekha, mother of Ms. Ruwi is the founder of a home décor page called “Thumbi byRuwi”. She says “Parenting a child with autism can be stressful, reach out for help from professionals, talk to other parents who have walked the path before you.” Dr. Sushma Nagarkar Dr. Sushma Nagarkar is the founder of Mumbai’s popular café “Café Arpan”. She quotes “A country like India has the second largest population in the world, a country with such diversity will flourish with acceptance, empowerment, and inclusion. These three words form the pillars of what I believe should be the future of the disability sector.” Mrs. Mini Dwivedi Gopinathan Mrs. Mini Dwivedi Gopinathan is the founder of “PlayStreet” Bangalore. She says, “My take home line for Parents of children with special needs is “Slow down yourself to speed up the development of your child” Ms. Deepa Garwa Ms. Deepa Garwa is a reading consultant for people with special needs. She says ““I believe life teaches us a new lesson every day, it is only up to us to see those as life changing experiences. The one thing that I have learned over all these years is the fact that your attitude can change the course of your life. Everything can be dealt with a positive attitude.” Mrs. Smrithy Rajesh Mrs. Smrithy Rajesh is an enigmatic and enthusiastic role model for parents and a charming human. She quotes “Accept and understand Autism. Acceptance starts from us. The mother is the best therapist and love is the best method for our kids. Find their strengths and at the same time train them to handle their difficulties too.” Ms. Neha Tiwari Ms. Neha Tiwari is a trained Speech-Language Pathologist and an Audiologist. She goes on to say “Working and Spreading awareness about the field in remote areas, getting to know the ground level difficulties of professionals working in remote areas and how they cope with the limitations has been an enriching experience.” Mrs. Kreeti Mitra Bhatia Mrs. Kreeti Mitra Bhatia is the founder of “The Special Mom”. She shares her thoughts with us. “I dream of a future where everyone is co-existing with happiness, understanding & acceptance. My next goal is inclusion & acceptance of all the children thus helping the future generation of people to live in a beautiful world where special needs children are understood and welcomed.” Ms. Khwaish Gupta Ms. Khwaish Gupta is an advocate for the sign language community. She shares “Do not let disability define you.” Dr. Prathibha Karanth Dr. Prathibha Karanth is the founder and director of COMDEALL Trust in India. She shares “Try to identify aspects of it that you find fascinating and challenging; then pursue it as best as you can along with like-minded professionals within our field as well as other related disciplines.” Ms. Aparna Das Ms. Aparna Das is the founder of Project “ARUNIMA”- a project for adults with Autism. She says, “Our goal is to bring each person to the level of “happy independence” possible because that is a human right. They are not the only ones who have to learn the ways of the “neurotypical” world. The world has to learn their ways too, and both respect and accept them, to achieve true inclusion.” Ms. Prachi Deo Ms. Prachi Deo is the founder and executive director of “Nayi Disha” an organization for people with developmental disability. She says, “Our Vision is to enable and equip families affected by developmental disabilities to be the change agents in the development journey of their loved ones, and not leave any family behind.” Mrs. Pooja Joshi Bhadrige Mrs. Pooja Joshi Bhadrige is the founder of the Angelman Foundation India, shares “Staying positive is the key to a better life. I know it is very difficult. But unless the parents are happy, they cannot pass it to their children. Children will achieve a great milestone if he/ she is happy inside.” Ms. Seema Lal Ms. Seema Lal  is one of the members of TogetherWeCan working relentlessly for childrenwith needs. She shares “With the alarming increase in diagnosis of neurodevelopmental disorders, autism in particular, the disability sector becomes a perfect for both business and abuse thanks to the extreme vulnerability of both children and parents. We glorify disability by calling it a different ability/special need/divyang but fail to provide the basic human right to safety and dignity of life. Education and inclusion become a far cry unless families are empowered to voice for the same.” To all the strong women out there, we admire and salute you! Happy Women’s Day! #Autismmother #DisabilityArenainIndia #Womenschangingarenainindia #Womensday

2nd April is celebrated as World Autism Awareness Day throughout the world. The whole idea of celebrating the World Autism Awareness Day lies in creating awareness about people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and helping and accepting them in all possible ways. Celebration wave through the world covers itself in blue, the color which symbolises a feeling of calmness and acceptance in a world that can be loud and challenging sometimes. This time the team of “Nirantar Prayas” planned a joy ride in NOIDA  metro (India) with their Specially Abled children to celebrate WAAD. Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference. In other words, it simply means a person with Autism has a unique nervous system. Further, Autistic have atypical brains. Do we consider this slight variation a disorder? This is something we need to think about! Is it a disorder or just neuro-diversity? Typically, Autism develops as a child grows. People discover signs of Autism as early as 12months in an infant. In other words, Autistic people are a part of neuro-diversity in the human race. Nirantar Prayas is a Non Profitable Vocational Center, run by parents of children with autism and it aims to provide a life of diginity and respect. We could interview Ms. Ripla Kumar about the great step the whole team had taken and were amazed to find the impact this rally had made during the World Autism Awareness Day. Q-How did the whole idea come up? A-We at Nirantar Prayas work with Specially Abled young adults and our constant effort is to make them happy by including them in as many activities as possible for mainstreaming. Our motto is to make these children and young adults Visible to the society. People should understand that it is not about differentially abled but it is all about acceptance like everybody. So we came up with the unique idea of ride on a metro. It was like “ lets go where everybody goes and enjoy”. Q- How many people ( Children and care providers) were included in the ride? And what was the age group of the children? A- Around 30 students (from age 13 to 25 years) and 20 to 25 school helpers and volunteers from Amity college were there with us. Police help (both males and females) was also taken so that no one is harmed in any way. We got one whole coach of metro filled with our children and volunteers. Q- Were the children  given training before the actual event and how many classes did it take to accustom the children? A- Yes. The teachers at niratar prayas took a week to make the children comfortable with the idea of ride on a metro by showing pictures and videos. Though everybody knew about MCDonalds and burgers, fries , which made them very happy.  Teachers and volunteers made Pluck cards which had quotes and facts about Autism and also about being proud of having a sibling with Autism. Q-About the journey- places, time? A- The journey started at around 11:30AM from Metro Station Sector 51, Noida- till Pari Chowk. From Pari Chowk metro station they crossed the road to Ansal Plaza Mall. In mall lobby the children enjoyed a lot they danced, played drums, met with people for small chat. From there they went to Mc Donalds for the meals and then back on to metro till sector 51. After which the children were dispersed to their home. The whole event ended at around 6- 6:30PM. Q- How was everything managed at the metro station? A- We had made metro authorities aware of this plan before and the whole metro authority team were very supportive. They were kind and made sure security check was done easily and no stoppage was done to avoid children becoming restless. Q-What was other parents reaction before were they excited about the whole idea? A- All the parents were very happy especially when it was all about making people aware about autism and accepting it. Many of them volunteered to accompany and they also sent the children’s siblings to make the program even more successful. Q- What was the outlook of CO-passengers? Did they want to talk to the children or the care takers accompanying them? A- The people first were stunned about what was happening. But later on gave attention to children, they were ready to listen to them and look at them. They were more inquisitive about Autism, about Nirantar Prayas and what exactly do children do at the organisation. Many of them and their children joined in the dance. It really turned out into a great platform for Autism Awareness. People at metro station were also showing positive response and were helping. Q- Reaction of children? A– At Niratar Prayas we do take children for outdoor activities like gym, swimming pool and play areas. But this long activity for awareness was first of its own. All the children enjoyed immensely. They happily plunged into snacks and dancing. Read more inspirational success stories here. Q- Your outlook towards increasing these interactive activities ? A- These sorts of activities should be planned more often to make the children be more interactive and it also prepares the society, makes them more sensitive towards Autism and its nature.  We need to help society and make less stimulating environment for these children were they can be calm and enjoy all activities at all places too. As the name of Nirantar Prayas embodies a never dying spirit, we at 1SpecialPlace wish the entire team a very good luck for all their future endeavours. May you continue with enthusiasm to make a more inclusive and respectable society for the differently abled! Leave us a reply to appreciate this cause. #autismawareness #metroridetoraiseautsimawareness #nirantarprayas #worldautismawarenessday