Home Based Programme
About the programme :
Parenting is a very pleasant aspect of life for a couple. Everyone hopes and wishes for a healthy baby. But, unfortunately hopes of some of the parents are shattered when a handicapped child is born. Parenting is the most wonderful but also a life long activity. More so, if the child is mental retarded. Generally, people get information on parenting from other family members, relatives and friends but parenting of a mentally retarded child is completely different. Their needs differ qualitatively and quantitavely. A ray of hope can be seen for these children in “Special Schools”. Many special schools have been started, where the mentally retarded child is trained through special teaching methods to become self reliant by the team of special educator, occupational therapist, speech therapist and psychologist.
However, it is not possible for every mentally retarded child to get admission in a special school and there might be children who due to certain reasons are unable to come to school everyday.
The question thus arises – “What can be done for such children? How can training be given to them?” It is specifically for these mentally retarded children that the concept of “Home Based Programme” was introduced.
Home Based Programme means implementation of training programme of the child at home itself through the parents. The special educator meets the parents and the child at their home. A training programme is planned after observation and assessment of the child. Teaching methods for specific tasks are demonstrated to the parents.
Government Institute for Mentally Retarded Children, Chandigarh runs this programme (Home Based Programme) since 2000 and till now 185 Mentally Retarded Children included in this Programme.
Advantages of programme :
1. Right guidance and counselling is done by the special educator.
2. Individualized services.
3. Parents are made aware of the special teaching methods
4. Home provides a natural environment for learning to child.
5. Generalization of behaviour is good as it is learnt in natural environment.
6. Children who are not able to go to school due to any reason also get an opportunity to avail the specialized help of a special educator in their training.