poovanam - special school

Every child is unique. Children have their own strengths and weaknesses. Their development progresses according to certain sequences, but the pace may vary. It is natural that some children may excel in certain areas but have deficiencies in other areas. However, if children display marked problems or difficulties in one (or more) developmental area(s), and their performance shows significant discrepancies compared with other children of the same age, it is advisable to refer the children for professional assessment.

Children progress rapidly in their early years and lots of changes are expected in a year or even a month’s time. Because of this, even experts may find it difficult to make a firm diagnosis based on a young child’s conditions. On the other hand, it is precisely the plasticity of children’s development that makes early identification and intervention important. With early identification of children’s developmental and learning problems and prompt referral for assessment, it helps us understand and support the children’s conditions and needs in development and learning.

Children with special education needs also known as ‘special children’, ‘exceptional children’, ‘handicapped children’ are recognised as having mental, emotional, physical or social needs. They require diagnosis and therapeutic intervention or special care by qualified specialists. 

Typically, families with children requiring assistance for special needs are on a lifetime journey that is both emotionally and financially challenging. Families of children with special needs may experience a myriad of emotions upon diagnosis, including anger, grief, loss, and denial. It is important to remember to be patient with yourself, as these emotions are a natural part of the process. Special-needs children include those who have: 

• Developmental Disability including down syndrome, autism, dyslexia, processing disorders 
• Speech and Language Impairment, difficulty in expressing themselves or understanding others
• Mental Retardation, which causes them to develop more slowly than other children
• Physical Disability, such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy
• Sensorial Disability including blindness, visual impairment, deafness and limited hearing 
• Learning Disabilities, which distort messages from their senses 
• Emotional Disabilities, such as antisocial or other behavioural problems

The Special School run by FEATHERS is managed by a team of trained and experienced special educators specialised in handling children with special needs. Guided by experts in the field of rehabilitation and therapeutic interventions, special education, Feathers team approaches the children with professional rigor and motherly care and attention. Approach it follows in the rehabilitation are:

• Early identification and assessment of disabilities in children
• Early intervention 
• Counselling 
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Speech therapy
• Psychological services
• Parent counselling and training