MANAS Learning

  Sometimes all we need to do is learn to listen to the stories that each child's voice has to tell.   As educators and parents, we celebrate early babbling, eagerly await and cherish those priceless first words, and are astounded by how rapidly children seem to pick up language from their environment. However, for some families, this path brings unforeseen difficulties that can be bewildering and overwhelming. The first step in giving your child the appropriate support at the appropriate time is to comprehend their communication profile.   Learning to speak is only one aspect of speech and language development. It includes everything from comprehending the social norms of conversation to arranging ideas into cohesive sentences to the physical coordination needed to make sounds. When children struggle with communication, it's rarely a simple matter of being "lazy" or "shy" - there are usually underlying reasons that, once understood, can guide us toward e...

A Parent's Journey from Confusion to Clarity The Day That Changed Everything Divya, Priya's 6-year-old daughter, was simply "quirky." Divya's temper tantrums over clothing textures, her trouble buttoning clothes, and her meltdowns when plans changed were all normal, right? Priya didn't realise she might be missing a significant aspect of her daughter's development until Diya's teacher subtly recommended occupational therapy. You might be surprised to learn how common this story is. Parents navigate the complex world of childhood development daily, often unaware that occupational therapy may hold the key to unlocking their child's full potential. However, what is occupational therapy exactly, and why is this profession that can change lives so misunderstood? A lot of parents don't even understand what an OT therapist does. One medical speciality that helps people of all ages live life to the fullest is occupational therapy. Occupational ther...

   🧠 From Compliance to Compassion: Rethinking Neurodivergent Support The traditional approach of demanding compliance from Neurodivergents—a child with autism, ADHD or Dyslexia—without understanding underlying neurological needs has failed countless neurodivergent children. The evidence is clear: targeted interventions based on an accurate understanding of each child's specific neurological profile yield significantly better outcomes than generic behavioural approaches. As we proceed, the emphasis must change from imposing conformity to offering assistance that respects neurological variations and fosters true engagement and learning potential. A fundamental shift in our understanding of symptoms and their underlying causes is necessary, moving from behavioural problems to neurological needs that call for careful, research-based treatment. For this transformation to happen, the dialogue itself must change. 🔍 Breaking Down Barriers to Understanding The journey to...

The Hidden Challenge of Sitting Still If a child is not able to sit in the classroom in spite of multiple times being told or punished, it is not a behavioural choice but a neurological or psychological necessity. Research shows it's all the more relevant to neurodivergent children, those with ASD- Autism , ADHD and LD- Learning disabilities. Understanding the underlying cause of any behaviour or learning pattern is very important for providing effective remediation or intervention. Treating the root cause is important, not just focusing on the symptom or behaviour, so we as teachers or parents need to overcome the immediate response of disciplining or labelling the child as stubborn or adamant; a child when she/he are not sitting in class or sitting down to do homework or study. It is not about our ego but the child's need. If a neurodivergent child is not sitting, we need to understand the underlying condition. Let us see some basic condition-based differences: The Autism...

What Is Stimming and Why Do Autistic Children Do It? As a parent of an autistic child, you've probably noticed your child doing repetitive movements like hand-flapping, rocking, spinning, or making sounds. These behaviours, called "stimming" (short for self-stimulating behaviours), might seem puzzling or concerning at first. Imagine This: What Soothes You Also Soothes Them But before we dive into the science, let me ask you something: How do you feel when you're sitting on a beach with a cold breeze and waves breaking in front of you? It's so soothing that you feel peaceful and forget your problems for a few moments, right? Are you someone who clicks their pen continuously while thinking, cracks their knuckles, or shakes their leg without even realising it? Stimming is something very similar to what your autistic child does, either consciously or unconsciously. The main difference is that for autistic individuals, these behaviours serve even more crucial...