by Michelle Pereira for BIS Mumbai

On March 10, 2025, The Stellar Don Bosco Academy (DBA), Nerul, launched the first batch of ‘Ikshana,’ a therapy centre with a difference. Ikshana is dedicated to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where children with ADHD, Autism, intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities, sensory processing disorders, and other special needs receive specialized interventions. The centre provides a holistic approach to therapy, offering Remedial Education, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vocational and Behavioural Therapy, and Play Therapy. These therapy sessions are structured to be both group-based and individualized, ensuring that each child’s specific needs are met effectively. 

The concept for this centre was originally conceived by Fr Barnabe D’Souza, Rector and Director at DBA. Bringing this vision to life, Ms Wenonah Castellino, Advisor at DBA along with Dr Ramani Kumar, Coordinator at Don Bosco Prafulta, worked in close collaboration with a team of specialists, ensuring its successful realization. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals, including counsellors, special educators, speech therapists, occupational therapists, clinical psychologists, remedial educators, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists.

At Ikshana, they follow a carefully planned schedule to make it engaging, stimulating, and tailored to the children’s needs. A structured timetable has been designed to make learning both enjoyable and meaningful. The first day began with a serene prayer song, fostering a sense of calm and focus among the children. This was followed by a formal introduction where students and teachers interacted, helping the children become comfortable with their peers and mentors. Encouraging self-expression, the children were motivated to share their thoughts, emotions, and personal experiences, thereby boosting their confidence and communication skills.

One of the most exciting activities was an online animation story, where children were shown a story on screen and they were asked to describe what they saw. They were given cues and asked to contribute their own ideas, helping them enhance their imagination and communication abilities. The session concluded with a meaningful moral, reinforcing essential values. Next, a group dance activity added an element of fun and movement, allowing children to express themselves physically while following the teacher’s dance steps. They were given a short two-minute break in between the dance session to rest.

The creative segment of the day included drawing and colouring activities, where children were given a topic to illustrate. For those who needed assistance, reference images were provided to guide them. This was followed by interactive group games aimed at strengthening memory, recall, and problem-solving skills. A listening activity further enhanced their concentration as they attentively heard an audio clip and discussed its content.

The day ended on a positive note with affirmations that instilled confidence and self-belief in the children. They were also given a simple home assignment—to share their learnings and experiences with their parents and siblings. Each day a new set of activities is introduced to keep the sessions educational as well as engaging. With its structured yet enjoyable approach, Ikshana ensures that every child experliences growth, learning, and joy in a safe and supportive setting.