Grant-in-Aid School for Mentally Challenged

What is Mental Retardation: Intellectual disability (ID), once called mental retardation, is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly. Mental retardation is basically divided in 4 categories as per the level of IQ:

Mild mental retardation (IQ between 50-55 and 70),
Moderate mental retardation (IQ between 35-40 and 50-55),
Severe mental retardation (IQ between 20-25 and 35-40), and
Profound mental retardation (IQ below 20 or 25)

In the School Division of Spandan, children in the age group of 6 to 16 are admitted.

The primary objective here is to equip these special children with life-skills that will enable them to lead meaningful and joyous lives, as cherished members of their family, community and society.

Interventions here are based on the specific needs of individuals and their families, with the primary goal of developing the students’ potential to the fullest.

The School Section is divided in 6 classes focusing on education and functional skills

· Play Section

· Trainable – 2

· Trainable – 1

· Educable – 3

· Educable – 2

· Educable – 1

The Focus

With Spandan’s vision in mind, children are divided into Trainable and Educable Groups. Each class has different defined goals of learning and based on that Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) of each child is made and followed. As per evaluations twice a year, the IEP goals are updated and the class transition of the child is decided with the lowest ability being the Play section and the highest being Educable-1. Based on the age and ability or efficiency of the children they are provided with an education which covers:

Etiquette and Discipline
Basic Math
Basic Concepts of Shapes, Colors, Size, Animals, Birds, etc
Language skills
Art & Craft
Computers
Social Skills

The Benefits

Motor skill and communication skills development.

Sharpening cognitive abilities, developing conceptual skills such as the concept of time, money, their body and an enhanced understanding about themselves and their surroundings.
Improvement in life skills such as learning to take care of oneself and being a useful member of the family by partaking in domestic activities around the home.
Increased creativity and self-expression.