THEME: Developments in Assistive devices and technology in verbal/nonverbal communication

Communication is the innate tendency of living objects to convey and share needs, feelings or ideas.

The word 'communication' has originated from Latin word 'communicare' which means 'to share'.

Among human beings communication is channel or means of conveying meaning through mutually learnt and understood signs, symbols and their rules for structured and sequential use which is called coding.

Code learning or code literacy is the first step toward effective communication both as part of social learning and designed institutional learning.

Owning to cognitive potentials, humans are thinking, feeling, ideating and creative beings.

With cognitive development or development of thinking skills, humans enable themselves to decode the communication and its message.

Of late, neuro-science, brain-imaging techniques, nano-technology and artificial intelligence based digital devices, have provided new insights in bio-communication which exemplifies sign-mediated interactions in and between organisms.

These insights have implications about the entry level of  communication with each child after diagnosis since bio-communication levels are diverse

signing and gesturingvisual tactile/ hapticmulti-sensory such as olfactory,

electromagnetic , biochemicalauditoryabstract agreed codes or standard

codesof language and mathematics

Appropriately designed communication is adapted and adjusted or contextually designed and used, helps people with disability to get accommodated or included equitably to the physical and social aspects of learning and life.  

Since children are diverse and differently or differentiably abled, they have diverse styles of learning.

Communication through signing and visual codes or the beginning or foundation for meaningful communication (non-verbal) to be carefully laid

1. Evaluation study of short term ‘ Mother and Child Training’ and two visual communication lesson studies with participants

2. Participation in international conference on ‘Disability Communication’ at University of Mumbai with action research based paper

3. Science lesson studies for dysgraphic children with visual codes: recognized and awarded by Commonwealth CASTME

4. Preparation of visual and gesture literacy material as assistive aids and supportive aids leading to big book type Hindi Primer, game boards, card games and puppets

5. Work in proximics and ergonomics for assistive and guided learning, posture correction, reading ease, learning station

6. Transition from home to school language and speech correction through phonic method

Integration with teacher preparation, training and workshops with emphasis on action research and lesson studies

Strengthening individualized education plans by involving care givers

Promoting micro learning, experiential learning, differentiated learning and multiple intelligence based learning

Enhancing the capacities of institutional leadership and teacher educators