Special education Archives

Ms. Anuja Sudheer works as a speech language pathologist and head of the early years program at the Centre for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education (CADRRE), Trivandrum, Kerala. CADRRE is a not-for-profit organization that runs a full-day intervention and education program in a school setting for children with autism aged two-18 years by an interdisciplinary team of speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and special educators. Ms. Sudheer holds a master’s degree in audiology and speech-language pathology from the National Institute of Speech and Hearing, University of Kerala, and has over 13 years of experience in supporting children with special needs.

Ms. Sudheer has obtained certifications in applied behavioral analysis therapy, picture exchange communication system, oral placement therapy, PROMPT therapy, Avaz (an AAC app), comprehensive literacy skills in individuals with complex communication needs from Jane Farrall Consulting, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. She conducts trainings of special educators through Continuing Rehabilitation Education programs by the Rehabilitation Council of India. She participates in outreach programs to raise awareness about autism among grassroots-level healthcare workers and parents in rural India. Additionally, she has given talks at numerous national and international conferences. Through the Fulbright DAI program, Ms. Sudheer hopes to receive training in strategies and methods for teaching young children with complex communication needs, particularly those with autism. She anticipates being able to put her training to use by directly supporting her students and colleagues at CADRRE and through outreach programs in rural India.

Ms. Sumana Dutta is an educationist with 21 years of experience. In the last 15 years, she has focused on supporting individuals dealing with autism and intellectual disabilities. She has a master’s degree in special education needs and inclusion from the University of Northampton, UK. She is also a certified autism consultant recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

As the Founder Executive Director of Akshadhaa Foundation, Ms. Dutta spearheads ‘Equip the Special Million’ community outreach project. Her initiatives include sensitization workshops for university students, capacity-building training for parents, mainstream teachers, and community health workers. She orchestrates inclusive education through early screening camps, policy advocacy and arts-based therapy, utilizing multi-sensorial modalities of learning.

Ms. Dutta received the topper award for diploma in special education (autism spectrum disorder) in 2010. Her decade-long service was honoured with the Dr. Amarnath Annual Award, and in 2022, she was recognized with the All India Women Achiever Award for excellence in social service. She has co-authored an article “Journey of Akshadhaa: Supporting Neuro-Developmental Disabilities in Bangalore, India” in Psychosocial Rehabilitation Mental Health Journal by Springer in 2023.

Through the Fulbright DAI project, Ms. Dutta is aiming to enhance her expertise in Universal Design of Learning and structured teaching approaches for special needs children. Upon her return to India, she would like to establish an online learning platform under the Akshadhaa Foundation, providing inclusive education methodologies for teachers and parent-caregivers. Her vision extends to sharing Fulbright experiences, preparing guidelines, and incorporating inclusive education pedagogy in state-run schools in Karnataka, contributing significantly to the education landscape in India.