Catch them young

and bridge the gaps

Overview of Latika Nanhe

Catch them young!
The Latika Nanhe is for very young children with developmental delays. We know that the earlier we start working with children, the better they do. At Latika Nanhe we work with children from birth to the age of six. We encourage their overall development, enhance their abilities to the full and endeavor to help them circumvent their disability. We build on the strengths of the child and train parents on early intervention strategies so that they are empowered to deal with their child’s issues. All our programs are activity-based, with the emphasis on learning through play.

There needs to be a lot more emphasis on what a child can do instead of what he cannot do.

Dr. Temple Grandin

What We Do At Latika Nanhe

We become partners
The parents or guardians who come along for each session work closely with the therapists and special educators so that they learn to carry out the same program at home. Research tells us that a child’s wellbeing is closely linked with the caregiver’s wellbeing both physical and psychological. We offer counseling services to the families who work with us.These are through regular individual counseling sessions based on needs expressed and assessed, and support group counseling sessions
We play
We have a bagful of strategies to work with little children and we keep adding and innovating new ones. Whether it is theatre for a child with Cerebral Palsy or PECS( Picture Exchange Communication System) to help a child with autism express himself, we use the most appropriate ways to help our children
We become creative
Our Physiotherapists use innovative and creative games to demonstrate specific exercises that need to be performed by the children to help them develop functional skills. We also provide orthotic aids like footplates, AFOs and Swedish Knee Braces.
We plan
Our special educators look at all aspects of cognitive and psychological growth. We believe in a multi-disciplinary approach and as per the needs of a child we develop an a IEP ie an Individualized Education Plan for each child which incorporates speech and language therapy, alternative communication systems, sensory stimulation and a behaviour management program all delivered through fun and play!

Latika Nanhe’s Impact

Vicky learns to walk

Vicky came to the Early Intervention Centre when he was three and a half years old. His chacha, a cook in the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand’s office, had heard about the EIC through its awareness work and brought Vicky in because he could neither speak nor walk. We assessed Vicky and found him to be a bright child with athetoid Cerebral Palsy.

In spite of being unable to walk, he had developed his own innovative style of moving and got around by lying on his back and scooting his bottom along the ground. He could not speak, but communicated his needs through his own signing system. Vicky’s parents were unable to care for him and his uncle, though himself unmarried, volunteered to adopt him. He brought him regularly to the EIC and, as the only man in the Mothers and Toddlers playgroup, was a special favorite of all.

Vicky’s personality is vibrant and courageous and he has inherited his uncle’s determination. Within a few months of regular physiotherapy, he began standing with support and quickly progressed to standing on his own. At the age of five he graduated to Karuna Vihar School where he has continued to develop his communication skills. After a year of steady, hard work, Vicky finally mastered walking unassisted.

The day he took his first steps, he was so delighted with himself that he walked in circles round and round the room, laughing out loud for joy. Vicky is now a happy, charming boy who loves playing and learning . Although still non-verbal because of his Cerebral Palsy, his receptive language skills are excellent and he understands most concepts that a child of his age should.

Simran is heard

Simran giggled softly as she sat on a small chair in one corner of the playroom. Everyone turned to look at her and when she realised that she was the centre of attention, she stood up, grinning broadly. We all clapped and Simran sank back into her chair and clapped too.

At two years of age, this was the first time that Simran had stood up independently and she and her parents were immensely proud of her achievement – visible evidence of the hard work that they had been doing over the past year.

During the first week of her life Simran suffered from severe sepsis and had repeated seizures. On discharge from the Special Care Unit, no follow-up had been arranged and nobody had told her parents that she could have long-term difficulties as a consequence of her illness. When she appeared to be developing more slowly than other babies, Simran’s parents sought advice from their doctor but were repeatedly told that there was nothing to be concerned about. At one year of age she was still unable to hold up her head, reach out for toys, or manage semi-solid foods. Her mother talked to her and tried to play with her but, increasingly discouraged by her failure to respond, she spent less and less time with her.

At 14 months Simran’s parents took her to meet a pediatric surgeon for an unrelated problem and, recognizing the global nature of her difficulties, he referred them to Karuna Vihar. Our assessment revealed that she had Cerebral Palsy. After discussing her needs with her parents, we developed a home program for her. Her family quickly realized the value of therapy and discovered that she was a very bright child who understood far more than she was able to express. Simran soon learned to sit unsupported, play with a range of toys, feed herself, and walk with minimal support. She began communicating well using gestures and learnt to use a communication board. Simran’s parents are devoted to her and optimistic about her future.

They have encouraged a number of others to bring their children to Karuna Vihar and her progress and their commitment have been an inspiration to many families.

Admission

The Latika Nanhe is open for children between 0 to 6 years of age.We refer the child to Gubbara for a developmental assessment. After assessment, children return to the Latika Nanhe as space allows. Fees for the services at the centre are charged on a sliding scale, based on family income.

TIMINGS
Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
CONTACT NUMBER
Phone 0135-2769495
ADDRESS
113/1, Vasant Vihar,
Dehradun 248001