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Samarpan was established in February 2002 by SOPAN - The Society
of Parents of Children with Autistic Disorders.
Samarpan is a centre for Autism Spectrum Disorders
that caters to the needs of individuals who lie within
the autism spectrum. Services range from diagnosis and early
intervention to pre-vocational training. This also includes
individuals who are in mainstream education. |
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Samarpan has a group
of trained and dedicated professionals who work in collaboration
for the complete development of the child.
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Objectives
Samarpan aims at development of individuals with ASD through the
following objectives:
- To provide a service for screening, diagnosis & educational
assessment of students with ASD
- To provide systematic early intervention and parent involvement
programs
- To provide Individualized Training Programs that meet the
unique needs of students with ASD
- To develop independent living abilities in students through
pre-vocational and vocational training
- To support, guide and prepare parents and family members for
effective management of children with ASD
- To develop human resources in the area of ASD through training
programs for parents and professionals
- To contribute to the body of knowledge on ASD through research
activities and documentation
- To advocate the cause of persons with as ASD and engage in
activities that lead to their empowerment and complete inclusion
in the community
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ASD Services
Samarpan assists the individual with ASD through a range of developmental
services. These include:
- Identification & Differential
Diagnosis
Children with autism, mental retardation, Aspergers Syndrome,
attention deficit hyperactive disorder and other developmental
disabilities have been differentially diagnosed
- Early Intervention
Children receive individualized therapy in Language and Communication,
and Sensory Integration The main focus here is in the development
of Pre-learning skills, appropriate
play skills and age appropriate social interaction.
- Individualized Training Programs
Every child is assessed by a multidisciplinary team that comprises
of the special educator, occupational therapist and language
therapist. An individual educational plan (IEP) is then
designed for him/her. Both professionals and parents implement
this program. The parents are trained to run the program at
home. Progress is monitored and programs are modified as per
need.
- Sensory Integration & Occupational
Therapy
Samarpan has a well equipped unit for remediation of sensory
integration deficits in children with ASD. Besides therapy for
vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation, the unit offers
exercises for motor skills critical for functional activities
of daily living.
- Language & Communication Therapy
Language & communication skills are taught to children,
both verbal and non-verbal.
Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) such as the Makaton
Language Program and the Picture Exchange Communication System
(PECS) are used as part of the program. Language and Communication
skills are also developed through need-based
group activities.
- Small-Group Class Room Programs
Children in this category consist of those who have already
developed table readiness, pre-learning skills and the initial
stage of social interaction (turn taking). They follow a structured
program that focuses on education, language and communication
training in activities of daily living, social skills and adaptive
physical education
- Pre-Vocational Training
Individuals in their teens are trained to develop pre vocational
skills. The emphasis here is to develop fine motor skills (for
handicrafts), Kitchen/Domestic skills and most importantly for
independent living.
- Parent Enrichment and Training Programs
Parents are trained to follow their childs individual
education plan using methods of teaching that follow the principles
of Applied Behavior Analysis.
In addition, some parents are also trained to work with children
other than their own under the supervision of a trained staff.
- Family Guidance
Samarpan offers counseling and family guidance to parents, siblings
and family members.
- Outreach Programs
The multidisciplinary team at Samarpan assesses children
who come from different parts of
the country for home programs. Based on the assessment, an individual
education plan (IEP) is drawn for the child in each of the assessed
areas namely, Language & Communication, Special
Education and Sensory Integration. Parents are shown how to
run this structured program so that they can correctly follow
the same teaching methods. Support is also given to children
with ASD who are in mainstream schools. Mainstream school teachers
are guided and parents are also trained to deal with challenging
behaviors that come in the way of the childs learning.
- Research, Documentation & Dissemination
of information.
Faculty members of Samarpan have conducted educational researches
in ASD. Samarpan is also conducting an action research on one
of its human resource development programs.
- Human Resource Development
In-Service Staff Development Programs
The staff members of Samarpan are qualified professionals (recogised
by the Rehabilitation Council of India) from renowned training
institutes in India. Staff Development Programs are regularly
conducted to keep the staff abreast with developments in the
area of ASD. Training Programs for professionals have also been
conducted in ASD for schools, universities and centres in and
out of Mumbai by faculty of Samarpan.
ASD Orientation Programs are conducted for student trainees
who visit Samarpan on
educational field trips. These students come from Mumbai and
other parts of the country. The members of staff regularly conduct
ASD Awareness Programs for people in the community. Programs
have held for social service groups, religious associations,
church and parishes etc. Students of M.Ed. (Special Education)
from SNDT Womens University have been involved in practical
training in ASD. Students of Arts, Engineering and various other
disciplines have also visited Samarpan for project work on ASD
and related issues.
- Volunteers
College students and community members from various streams
volunteer at Samarpan. Many have assisted in raising financial
support, some have helped in organizing vents & functions
while others have served as teacher aides.
- Exhibitions
Exhibitions of the students work of are held every year
where items made by students of the pre-vocational group as
part of their training are displayed.
- National, Cultural and Religious
Celebrations
We at Samarpan consciously instil in the students a feeling
of patriotism, religious unity and mutual respect by celebrating
Independence Day, Diwali, Holi, Idd, and Christmas etc.
Through its intervention
programs, Samarpan aims to meet the needs of individuals with
ASD and build on their strengths, enabling them to live with dignity
and function as productive members of society.
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