Special children have a splashing time under new programme

Friday November 7, 2008

Special children have a splashing time under new programme
By JADE CHAN

THE 11 special children from the Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged (Magic) had a splashing good time at a local club’s pool as they worked their way to learn the basics of swimming.

Magic administrator Elizabeth Perera explained that they got to know Dr Rekha Ramachandran, who recommended a swimming programme for special children taught by Sridhar.

“Dr Rekha is the Down’s Syndrome Association of Tamilnadu chairperson in Chennai and a parent of a Down’s Syndrome child.

“She met with some parents at Magic and shared the activities her association does, including Sridhar’s swimming programme.

For special children: MAGIC (Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged) is a modern resource centre that offers an alternative form of education for intellectually challenged students. It is located in a quiet residential environment in Section 16, PJ

“The children were taught simple step-by-step techniques on how to swim freestyle and coordinate their hand-leg movements. It was also an opportunity for them to exercise and have fun.

“Sridhar felt that some of the children were quick to pick up on their swimming skills and most weren’t afraid of the water.

“They were all very determined and managed to swim within two weeks,” said Perera.

She pointed out that the coach, who was assisted by several volunteers and teachers, had to be very patient and have the ability to work with children of different learning levels.

“The children were sad when the programme ended and are keen to practise what they learnt.

“We will write to the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, which allowed us to use their pool for free during our programme, to see if we can continue the swimming lessons with their coach and learn other strokes.”

Magic president Nerin Yusop said that swimming offered a great form of exercise that helped control her daughter’s blood sugar level.

“Sarah, 17, loves it so much that she’s declared it her new hobby. She’s eager to practise swimming and this shall be our new Saturday morning activity,” said Nerin.

Perera herself was thrilled that her daughter, 22-year-old Marie Anne, was able to swim within three days and hopes she would continue swimming to shed some weight. Introduction to swimming: Sridhar (second from right) guiding the children through the swimming programme through a step-by-step method, including how to kick and coordinate their hand-leg movements

Magic is a non-profit organisation conceptualised in 2000 by a group of parents whose own children are intellectually challenged and decided to start a special needs resource centre.

It offers an alternative form of education for students who have been diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, Developmental Delay, Global Delay, autism and learning disabilities.

The swimming programme is part of Magic’s integration programmes and curriculum to cater to the students’ needs.

Other activities include arts and craft, cooking and baking, riding for the disabled, drama and body movements, and school-to-work transition programme.

An intensive life skill programme that covers areas like personal and home maintenance, budgeting and shopping, vocational skills and organised class trips is conducted to provide a more hands-on form of learning.

“Our focus is on independent, social and domestic living skills. A lot of the lessons have to be repeated and conducted through role-playing for the children to understand better,” said Perera.

“The difference with Magic is that the parents are personally involved in their children’s development and education, hence providing a heart and soul to the organisation.

“It takes longer for special children to learn, but with a lot of patience and repetition, they can.”

She advised parents to not underestimate their children’s capabilities and said that given a chance, they can excel in anything they set their minds to.

“Our vision is to have a community group home, similar to the one in Australia. It is a place where special people who are young working adults can live independently within a community.”

For more information, contact Magic at 03-7957 3082 or magiceducationcentre@yahoo.com.