Goa – Tanvisha Gaude (ST2121)

Tanvisha, born in the Khede –Priol village of Ponda Block North district of Goa is suffering from speech and hearing problem. She was reported for testing at the age of 2 and was diagnosed for Bilateral Profound Hearing loss. She has difficulty in the areas of Vocabulary and Language skills. She had never been to school on account of her Deafness and delayed Speech and language. Now she is going to GVM’S K.G and Primary School, Ponda, which is an Inclusive set up catering to all Children with various of disabilities. With the help of Special Educators/ Resource Teacher, Special Education is imparted to the Children with Special Needs of various types and nature through self – help Skills.

When Tanvisha was enrolled in GPS Khede -Priol School, she was unable to write normally as any other Children of the same group.  She could not express things clearly though she knows and understood things. She was very active in other skills and academics but faced difficulty in listening to directions and instructions, and couldn’t speak a word. Her Parents and Teachers realized that she needed a special way of Teaching. So, support was taken from a Special teacher/Speech Therapist who helped her in writing, Reading, etc. in Speech Therapy Centre Swaranad Saushtha in Ponda.

During her 15 months in Speech Therapy Center she received intensive speech therapy, sign language and Special education which led to improved confidence and self esteem in her.  The Special Teachers were very hardworking and motivated, they coordinated well with her class teacher and speech therapist. The  Speech Therapist and BRP CWSN  were able to help the child to speak and sign at phrase level and help her understand what others speak.

At present, the child is able to read and write, although her pronunciation is not very clear.  She has learnt the concept of size, colours, shapes, math tables from 1 to 12, and can follow simple words like go, come, give, thank you etc. She is learning and trying to pronounce a complete sentence. She actively participates in many cultural programmes, Sports and Rangoli Competition.  Despite her disability she is very good in her performance and every task given to her is completed by her.