Triveni Goswami Vernal
(Registered Special Educator: A64010)

Progress is a subjective notion. It may look different to different people. When children with additional needs undergo any kind of intervention, one of the first things worrying parents/caregivers is the pace at which any improvement occurs. What one must be mindful of, is that, not all progress or improvement, is observable. We only see the final result, in the form of an acquisition of a skill, but that is an outcome of multiple levels of processes that take place internally. So even when the change is not observable, there are changes, even if minute, taking place within, the individual.

In my practice as a Special educator, I work with a range of young children with various kinds of additional needs…some are easily distractible, some like to run around, some like to sit as far away as possible from any direct interaction with me. But a common theme amongst all these children is that if one makes the effort to understand what really interests the child, rapport building becomes so much easier. And rapport with the child is at the crux of the relationship with them.

The children meet me only once a week and I need to win their confidence over. I need to create a safe space for them to open up to me. From their point of view, therapeutic intervention may be of little or no value. So, I have to go above and beyond, to make the time, I spend with them, interesting. Maybe, play their favourite song, or keep worksheets with their favourite animated character ready, or even sit down with them and engage in some turn taking activities playing with toys, musical instruments, play dough etc. The children have to see some value in their interactions with me, before they agree to engage in any activity with me. 

There have been some very heartwarming moments which truly represent this idea of progress, in my practice. A child who initially would not let me sit anywhere close to her, over many sessions, sat near me when I played the animated version of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and even engaged in some activities with play dough.  And then one fine day, as I sat on the floor with her, reading a book to her, she came on her own (without any prompts) and sat on my lap. The fact that she trusted me enough to let me be a part of an experience, is such a beautiful example of progress.

My only suggestion to the parents, if they don’t see any observable changes, initially, is to not fret. Internal processes may be at work and more importantly, there may be other factors, like, rapport with the therapist, the child’s mood and conditions in the therapy centre, which may contribute to the child’s ability to engage in activities at a given point in time. But with consistent efforts, changes do occur and “progress” can be seen. 
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Author Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal

Dr.Triveni Goswami Vernal is a Registered Special Educator (CRR: A64010), a Psychologist and an Expressive Arts Therapy Practitioner (UNESCO-CID). She is an Avaz Certified Educator and Certified in Dyslexia Teacher Training. She is also an art educator for children with additional needs.

“Goa: Church on the Beach”
Acrylic Painting and Textured paste on Canvas Board
Kabir Vernal