Dear Parents/Professionals working with children with neurological differences. We are both aware beyond doubt about two things

1. We not attempting to “cure” or “transform” the child, instead we are aiming at maximum functional independence as possible for the child to be able to live as inclusively as possible in our society.

2. The parents/primary care givers role in the child’s life is the most crucial & integral part that is decisive in bringing out the best in the child, as is the case with any with or without neurological differences.

Keeping these in mind let us actively take an effort to practice the following

1. Professionals makes an active effort to train & teach the parent during the course of early intervention “therapy” session in a clinic/center/hospital. Parents too to take an active role in being part of the program by sitting inside while ‘therapy’ is ongoing & learn how to incorporate the same at home

2. Professionals give in writing & demonstrate to the parent “HOW” to elicit the best responses from the child instead of telling “what” to do. Parents take effort in asking & demanding a written, well explained home program & follow through the same.

3. Professionals to never underplay the role of parent by criticizing & slotting them as a group of “uninterested parties” instead counsel them (repeatedly if needed) into following the home program. Allow them to work with the child in front of you so that you can correct mistakes if any. Parents, to keep asking

doubts, question and question more if there is no progress.

4. Professionals to actively document & plan the 45minute to 1 hour session that is spent exclusively with the child & make available the plan & summary to the parent who will follow the same at home.

5. Professionals actively understand all other ‘therapies’ the child might be attending while parents honestly disclose all the ‘therapies’ the child is attending and make the team work possible keeping in mind the best interest of the child.

With this & more we will never have a therapist/professional saying “the child does not cooperate if the parent sits inside” or “the parents does not want to sit inside” or the “parents do not follow home program” ...... and we will never have parents say “I do not know ‘how’ to take forward a home program, nobody trained me”, “I prefer sitting outside coz my child cooperates better when I am not there’

#INCLUSION requires people who work from their heart not from their heads! INCLUSION requires #INTENTION and well planned intention! Let us together make it happen for our children! If not us who? Early years are crucial we have no time to waste in -LET US TAKE ACTION – NOW! #KOCHI_TogetherWeCan