There have been many organizations, individuals, and websites that have been helpful in our journey. This section of the website will spotlight some of the amazing resources we have found.
Today’s spotlight is on Mirra, a organization in a two story building in a sea-facing road in Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai. Within that organization, I have seen some of the most dedicated, committed individuals developing the most creative and customized solutions to create a positive, inclusive environment to untap the potential of children with special needs.
We had the good fortune of taking my brother for 6+ months to this amazing organization in India. A few highlights of our visit and some of the new approaches we developed [many of which you have seen referred to in other parts of our journey]:
- Practice language in action: Practicing key nouns and verbs by having my brother give me instructions and I showing the language in action. This also helped him understand why he was learning the language and how the language could be used practically to give me instructions (which brother would not enjoy giving his sister instructions!)
- Explaining: Developing unique, simple techniques to explain complex and challenging things for my brother to handle. My dad had to go back to the US for a few weeks while we were still in India. One of the lead directors developed a unique technique to explain that we needed money to buy my brother’s favorite things and Dad needed to go to work for money. My brother readily agreed.
- Developing the daily talking journal: To have my brother practice language that is truly relevant to his day. Click on the link to see more on the daily talking journal.
- Celebrating successes: This is an application of the “Can do” focus we described in the approach. It is an exercise to help my brother adapt to changes in the environment and celebrate his ability to do it. My brother is very rigid — he does not like it if things are moved or not in their proper place. It often leads to anger if such things happen accidentally. Hence, we thought it would be helpful to expose him to these changes deliberately and celebrate his ability to deal with these changes. So, every day we would move a few items, e.g., put a book down on the floor. Then, we would tell him to wait 20 seconds before we moved it. Then, we would write the statement – “I was okay when the book was on the floor. I could wait 20 seconds with the book on the floor. I can wait. I can do it. ” Then we would have have my brother repeat these sentences. This would help my brother understand that he can do it— he can deal with these changes. The next day we would increase the time to 40 seconds or add more items. Repeating the statements helped reinforce to my brother that he can deal with these changes in the environment. Hence, when a change suddenly happens in the environment — a package falls on the floor, I am able to tell my brother: “You can handle it. You were able to wait a minute before lifting the book yesterday. You can do it. You can wait.”
- and the list goes on! These were just highlights.
Mirra truly opened the frontiers for us in understanding what my brother can do, experimenting with new approaches, and creating a positive, supportive environment for my brother. I am truly grateful to the entire team at Mirra for all they have done for my brother and so many other children.
Here is the website of Mirra for you to learn more: http://mirract.org/index.html.
I will add more resources to this page in the coming weeks. Watch out for more details.
