Aradhya, is 4 year-old girl who has a history of seizure disorder which led to a developmental delay. Aradhya received proper medical care and therapy intervention at early age which has led to her being non symptomatic and off seizure medication for a year now. She also achieved her independent walking milestone 3 months back. There is a considerable lag in her speech, fine motor and cognitive development which restricts her to access to main stream schools, which are under-resourced to cater to the needs of children with development disabilities.
What would be beneficial and cumulative to her success at this moment is that she gets a learning environment like a school so that she can be integrated into a mainstream school.
Aradhya’s situation is indicative of the key challenge of our effort towards inclusion for all children. Like her, children with disabilities face a number of barriers that prevent them from obtaining a quality education.
This is where the need for Khilti Kaliya arises.
Khilti Kaliyan is a pre-school-based learning program for children with developmental disabilities, organized within the Handimachal Centre in Kullu, where a conducive school-like environment is provided to facilitate learning.
7 children who were enrolled under our therapy program are now the first batch of students to commensurate this special program. Children will attend this program 5 days a week for four hours. Sessions like Morning Circle time, Free Play, Short Break, Study time, Therapy time, Gross Motor Play, Table top activities, Lunch and relaxation time are part of their school schedule.
The aim of Khilti Kaliya Learning Program is that children get a school like environment and structure along with therapy so that they are made school ready when the right time and resources are made available. Integration into mainstream education is the final aim of the program.
We want to nourish these blooming buds so that they grow into flowers one day!
Shruti More, OT,
and the Handimachal therapy team in Kullu
(Himachal Pradesh, India)
