Hope, a centre for child development and therapies at Kamaleswaram, is just that – a ray of hope for parents with children on the autism spectrum and facing other developmental challenges.
Started by occupational therapist Soya Suseelan in memory of her father and politician S. Suseelan three months ago, the centre aims at developing children’s social, intellectual, and motor skills so that they can live independently in society. The centre, as of now, provides occupational therapy with sensory integration therapy and speech therapy.
The first step is a detailed assessment done by Hope psychologist Anu Nair, and on that basis individual plans are prepared.
The occupational therapy room at Hope has a host of equipment that will help develop their occupational skills, including gross motor skills such as walking and sitting upright, fine motor skills such as handwriting skills, and hand-eye coordination.
One of the major issues seen in some children having autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is behavioural issues such as anger management. For this, Hope has equipment such as weighted blanket in which the child is tightly wrapped to restrict body movements, and age-appropriate balls of various sizes are rolled over them so that they calm down. This is essential so that they reach a state where they can respond to further therapy.
A body band helps in a range of exercises to improve muscle control and muscle tone so that their posture improves and they do not bounce off or fall on objects. There are trampoline, monkey swing, vestibular swings too for that. Activities such as catching balls are coordinated with swinging so that their hand-eye coordination improves.
Sensory integration is very important, says Soya, who has done a four-year paramedical course in occupational therapy in Ireland. Fine motor, gross motor, visual, auditory, tactile – all such areas are covered so that children can respond to sensations appropriately. For instance, some children cannot tolerate loud noises or bright light, different tastes, or textures.
Soya stresses the need for early intervention, starting as early as 3. However, parents often focus on speech delays, ignoring behavioural issues. It is important to first start with behaviour and occupational therapy and then move to speech therapy, she says.
Equipment such as body brushes, rollers, and handy massager help to calm children’s muscles and improve sensitivity to touch. Pods on which children walk help to coordinate both sides of the brain to help improve hand-eye coordination.
Small bean bags, rubber balls, fidgets, a special kind of putty, blow straw all help to improve muscle tone.
Zipping it
Children are also trained in zipping and buttoning up, and tying shoelaces. A sand tray helps improve letter formation. There is also equipment to teach children to improve their pencil grip during writing.
Soya, a sensory integration therapist, emphasises regular therapy for better results. Hope has another occupational therapist and and a speech therapist on its rolls. It currently provides free therapy for five children from the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare, Thycaud.
For details, call 0471 245 8899.
