145 children with special needs complete pre-school training at AIISH

Pre-school children at a programme at AIISH in Mysuru on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

A momentous occasion unfolded at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru, as 145 children with special needs successfully completed their training at the Pre-School Training Centre under the Department of Special Education. The achievement was marked by a celebratory event on Tuesday at the AIISH campus, where the children were awarded certificates recognizing their progress and readiness to join mainstream schools.

Thanks to early intervention and structured preschool activities at AIISH, the children — many of whom have communication disorders such as hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, and multiple disabilities — completed their training for integration into regular educational settings.

According to AIISH, 84% of the children will be joining normal schools and 15% of them will be partially integrated while 1% of the children will be attending special schools.

The Pre-School Training Centre offers comprehensive early educational intervention services, focusing on essential developmental areas such as self-help, cognitive, motor, and social skills. The training is based on a systematic curriculum tailored to meet each child’s learning needs. Equally important is the role of parents and caregivers, who also underwent dedicated training to support their children’s transition into mainstream education.

A press release from the institute emphasised the invaluable contribution of families, stating that their support and cooperation are integral to the success of the children.

H. Sundararaju, professor of ENT at AIISH, was the chief guest at the event, and Pushpavathi, Director of AIISH, presided over the function.

Stress on early identification

AIISH continues to stress the importance of early identification and intervention in infants at risk of communication disorders. The institute has launched awareness campaigns targeting parents and has partnered with government hospitals to ensure early screening during the neonatal period.

The institute has been conducting screening in hospitals regularly and many children are found to be at risk for developing communication disorders. These children are referred to the institute’s preschool program to receive timely support and intervention.