Two corporation schools run art lab for special kids

Ten-year-old Arun*, who is dyslexic, was found to be aggressive and over-energetic. Coupled with lack of clarity in his speech, he had no friends as most of his classmates were reluctant to play with him. 

After being enrolled into the Art Lab Project for Special Children at the Chennai Primary School, Velachery, he slowly began to engage with other kids in the group. Over a period of time, he started to get involved in group activities as well. He was also encouraged to talk about his experiences, and with a lot of encouragement, Arun has overcome his speech issues can even narrate stories.

This Art Lab for special children, including those with autism, Down Syndrome and Dyslexia is the only one of its kind.

In association with V-Excel Educational Trust that offers the expertise through special educators, the Art Lab gets students to engage in small groups.  After prior identification, the educators assess the children in order to cater to their needs.

The programme covers diverse needs through a combination of different arts in various sessions, giving each child individual attention. Talking to DT Next, Sriram Ayer, CEO-Founder, Nalandaway, said that the idea of offering rehabilitation for children with special needs stemmed from the interaction they have been having with the students over a period of time.

He added, “We take students below 11 or 12 years in these special Art Labs because working with children who are older than that when they have not undergone rehabilitation earlier is difficult.” There are 16 students in the Art Lab and their parents are an integral part of the programme, so that they can continue the learning at home.

Uma Viswanathan, Chief Operating Officer of Nalandaway, added that the sessions are aimed at narrowing the gap between the children with special needs and the rest of their classmates. “They might never be on par, but we try to bring them up the ladder.”

R.Lalitha, Deputy Commissioner, Education, Greater Chennai Corporation, said that the Art Labs have made a difference because they help children with special needs express themselves. “Their inability to communicate like others makes it even more difficult for these children to interact. The arts come in handy for them to explore the deepest recesses of their mind, enabling them to integrate with the rest,” she said.

There are two more Art Labs set to be established in Corporation schools in Thiruvanmiyur and MMDA Colony.