The Process

The Process

  • One to one instruction by trained personnel.
  • The therapy is integrated into play and the entire process happens through a play way mode of instruction.
  • The child is an active participant throughout the session.
  • Specialised instructions given to the child and as well as the parent so that child can generalise the achieved skills in his own environment. E.g. once the child has achieved little independence in sitting, parents are instructed to take child to a restaurant or small parties where the child can learn to sit independently.
  • Integrating aspects of occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical exercises into the instruction program. The child need not have separate sessions of occupational therapy and speech therapy from the respective professionals. The instructions of REACH are planned in such a way that it incorporates the features of the above too.
  • The child starts attending the regular school as soon as he / she develop sitting tolerance.
  • Group activities are planned regularly to develop skills in a group, to develop skills needed in the regular class room and to establish socialisation.
  • Home too becomes an instruction ground for the child where the parents are trained to involve in all the activities at home from washing clothes to serving food.

Limitations

The outcome through REACH instructions is very positive when identified and intervened during the critical years (1 1/2 yrs – 4yrs) in the development. With those children, identified and intervened late, this method may be less successful.

If the parents are less cooperative, then this method would yield minimal result, because family cooperation plays a vital role here.

Success Stories

1.Shaktiram, a resident of Madurai, was diagnosed as mentally subnormal at the age of two years by one of the leading neurologists in the town. The family was very depressed and had lost all hope. The mother one day found an article of ‘RAKSHNA’ in the newspaper lying in her dustbin. At the age of two months, she decided to come and meet the director, Dr. Rani Chakaravarthy, who diagnosed the child has autistic features. After discussion, she regained her confidence and the child was enrolled for training. Mother followed the training instructions given by the center diligently and enjoyed bringing up her child immensely. The entire family and the relatives contributed in the progress of the child by their interactions. After training for 18 months, Shaktiram is now studying in one of the prestigious ICSE schools in Madurai. He is now absolutely normal in academics, social behavior, communication and play activities and is free of all autistic features.

2.Praveen, at the age of 40 months, was diagnosed to be having autistic features by one of Peadiatricians in the town and referred to ‘Rakshna Center’. At the time of admission, Praveen had no eye contact, no sitting tolerance, no speech, poor response to simple commands, lack of imitations, poor peer interaction and odd behavior. During the ‘Parent training program’, the mother was motivated and developed a positive approach to train the child. She followed the training instructions given by the center diligently. She involved the child in her day-to- day activities and motivated and helped the child to do some household work. No sophisticated training tools were used instead she used regular household things like vegetables, soap, paste etc. to teach the child. After one year of training, Praveen developed communication skills, good social behavior and the odd behavior was no longer there. Praveen is currently studying in a good regular school without any special supportive service.

3.Sheila, was referred to Rakhshna by a school principal at the age of 5 years and 3 months. She was diagnosed to be having autism by NIMHANS and underwent medical treatment there for the same. During the beginning of training, she had distractive, odd and stereotype behaviors with no receptive and expressive language development. Eye contact and sitting tolerance were very poor. She was very aggressive to new persons and surroundings. The REACH method was applied on her in a very slow pace. Her mother, being a medical practitioner, took about a year’s break from her work life to provide training to her at home. After one year of training, she developed sitting tolerance, eye contact and speech. She got admission in a regular school and is doing well academically.
I am glad to share that she joined in MBBS course in government allotted seat in 2022. She has been diagnosed as Autism,but she won the Autism and proved that she is not a special child but she is "something special". She completed 8 grade in keyboard also.

22

Profile

Founder directors

  • Dr.A.Rani chakaravarthy, B.R.Sc, MA(Psy), MA(SW), PGDC, Ph.d. in Autism, Psychologist
  • Dr.K.Chakkaravarthy , MBBS,DMRD, Radiologist,

Profile of Dr.Rani chakkaravarthy

Director – Rakshna child guidance center, Madurai.

Managing director – Rakshna trust, Madurai.

Admin. Director – Litti Scans-Ultra sound clinic

Consult to Hospitals, schools and NGO’s

Educational Qualification

  • Bachelor of Rehabilitation Sc. From Holy cross college, Trichy
  • Master of social work from MISS, Madurai.
  • Master Degree in Psychology from Annamalai University.
  • P.G. Diploma in counseling.
  • P.G,Dip.in Hospital Administration
  • Phd. in the field of Autism from Gandhigram Deemed university.

Topic : Impact of Psycho-Social Factors of Parents on Children with Autism

Field of Interest

  • Early intervention to children with, Autism, Learning disability, delay development
  • Counseling, Psychotherapy.
  • Training programme to parents, teachers, students and professionals.
  • Psychological assessment.
  • Vocational placement to adult MR, Slow learner and poor students.
  • Educational guidance and help to Poor students.

Author of books

  1. Autism- Athisayam
  2. Children with Autism
  3. Co-Author – Holistic Child Development
    Frequently writing Article in Daily news paper, magazines and E- magazines on child development and women right and empowerment. Participated many times at “Vivatha media” in Sun TV, FM Radio to create awareness on rights of persons with disability Initiating disability friendly toilets at schools. Motivational speaker and soft skill trainer.

Details of staff members