Author: Anjali Barretto | August 4th, 2021
Many of you may have heard of or have had the pleasure to meet our very talented Occupational Therapist, Mahera Kantawalla. Mahera is a dedicated professional whose gentle nature together with her professional expertise is an asset to all who have met her. She also coaches families on how to build their child’s social communication skills and is currently being trained in the Social ABC’s program as a resource person.
Mahera recently shared her concern about one of her little ones who visit Sethu. This little girl (let’s call her Shakira) had a diagnosis of Autism as well as sensory issues. Each time Shakira wanted something she would reach for it but any attempts on Mahera’s part to encourage any further communication would result in Shakira losing interest. Her motivation to persist to communicate was incredibly low. So Mahera shared her concerns with us ‘Speechies’ (a.k.a. Sethu’s Speech Therapists).
We brainstormed and decided to start Shakira on a picture-based communication system where Shakira was taught to pick up a picture placed in front of her and exchange it for what she wanted. Mahera and I were quite apprehensive about how Shakira would take to this novel way of communicating given her low motivation. But at Sethu, we are more than open to try!
So we began with Shakira laying on a therapy mat while we used an electric massager to massage her hands. She adores this important part of her therapy sessions. We then suddenly stopped the massager. When she reached out for it we helped her pick up the picture card of the massager and exchange it for the massager. When she did this we would massager her hands again. More bliss for Shakira!
We repeated this routine 2- 3 times. On the 4th trial, when we stopped the massager, Shakira reached for the picture card herself, picked it up and exchanged it!!!! Mahera and I just looked at each other in sheer amazement, delight and awe! Bonus bliss for Anjali and Mahera!
After that, there was no stopping Shakira. She independently communicated for her massager throughout the session and in the sessions to come! That day both Mahera and I ended the session with a reminder of the potential of children, a sense of hope for Shakira’s communication, gratitude for each other and big goofy smiles on our faces that were proof of oodles of joy within us.
In his article, ‘The Power of I don’t know’, Will Koherson says, “Saying ‘I don’t know’ — practicing intellectual humility — and adopting a growth mindset are powerful means for becoming smarter and more skilled individuals”.
Thank you Mahera for your intellectual humility and teamwork that helped us help Shakira!
Concerned about your child communication skills? Contact us for an assessment.
ANJALI BARRETTO
Head – Child Development Centre