Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
Early Intervention Program (Upanayan)
Introduction
Upanayan is MNC’s flagship program designed to support the management and training of children with developmental delays and Intellectual Disability. Developed specifically for the Indian socio-economic context, this program recognizes each child’s unique strengths and needs. With support and guidance from MNC experts, mothers take on a crucial role as carry over agents, co-educators and co-therapists, guiding their children’s development. This collaborative approach often includes fathers, grandparents, and other close family members who actively participate in the child’s growth journey.
Upanayan – Birth to Two Years
This phase of the program encompasses five key developmental areas:
• Motor
• Self-Help
• Language
• Cognition
• Socialization
• Motor
• Self-Help
• Language
• Cognition
• Socialization
For each area, we have identified 50 essential behavioral skills which cover the daily activities of a child of this age group [birth to two years].
The activities have been designed to train children in the various skills in an average Indian home setting, with mothers, siblings, or family members serving as trainers.
Upanayan – Two+ to Six Years
For children aged two plus to six years, this segment of the program introduces advanced skill sets, as by this time the child develops adaptive behavior, across twelve developmental domains:
• Communication
• Self-Care (Mealtime Activities)
• Self-Care (Personal Daily Activities)
• Home Living
• Social Relationships
• Community
• Self-Direction
• Health and Safety
• Functional Academics (Reading and Writing)
• Functional Academics (Numbers)
• Leisure
• Work
The intervention services include Individualized Education Plans (IEP) tailored to each child’s needs, along with various therapies and support services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, vision therapy, play therapy, speech therapy, yoga, physical education, music therapy, medical and dental consultations, nutritional interventions, reviews and advice, group activities, activity-based teaching and fine art.
Resource materials for these skills and activities are drawn from traditional time-tested childcare practices passed down through generations in Indian families and contemporary methodologies from both India and abroad.
Dissemination of the Program
Madhuram Narayanan Centre is committed to disseminating the Upanayan program nationwide and encouraging other voluntary organizations to establish special schools providing Early Intervention services. We are also actively conducting workshops to share this valuable resource. Upanayan is currently available in English and Tamil.
For more enquiries on Upanayan or to get involved, please Contact Us.