Rudransh Singh initially joined Study Hall DOSTI in 2021, having previously attended DOSTI's online classes during the pandemic. Initially, he was a shy and introverted child, requiring significant encouragement to interact with others. When called upon in class, he would often turn off his camera, preferring to remain silent and swiftly finish his lessons.
However, with ample encouragement, support, and guidance from his teachers, Rudransh began to blossom. Recognizing the potential benefits for his development, his parents decided to relocate to Lucknow. The classroom set-up of DOSTI, the child-centric curriculum, positive atmosphere, and dedicated support from teachers at DOSTI played a crucial role in his progress.
Now, Rudransh has transformed into an independent and enthusiastic learner. He eagerly attends school, actively participates in both academic and co-curricular activities, and exhibits confidence, especially on stage. Notably, he excels not only in academics but also in sports.
This year, Rudransh has been promoted to the CFL program, marking a significant milestone in his educational journey. With his newfound confidence and determination, he is poised for a bright future. Best wishes to Rudransh for his continued success and growth.
Atharv (name changed), diagnosed with Down Syndrome, became a part of DOSTI two years ago at the age of 10. Over the past two years, his progress has been remarkable. He can now recognize and form 2-3-4 letter words, complete tasks from the UKG curriculum, and construct full sentences and small paragraphs in English. In Hindi, he has advanced to writing words without diacritical marks (maatraayein). In mathematics, he has developed the ability to perform basic multiplications. Similarly, Atharv has shown significant improvement in Environmental Studies (EVS). He navigates his surroundings independently, dresses himself, and accomplishes routine tasks with ease. His newfound independence extends beyond the home, as he can handle himself well in various settings. It must be noted that Atharv has always exhibited positive behavior, both before and after joining DOSTI. Thanks to his progress at DOSTI, Atharv has now progressed to the next academic level, entering 1st grade. This advancement reflects his hard work, dedication, and the supportive environment provided by DOSTI.
Aman (name changed) joined Study Hall DOSTI at the age of 9, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). At the outset, he struggled with poor eye contact, had a limited tolerance for sitting, and exhibited significant anxiety and behavioral challenges. Further, his introverted nature made socialization difficult, as he rarely interacted or communicated with others.
During the initial adjustment period, Aman displayed tantrums and anger as he acclimated to his new environment. However, over time, with targeted intervention and extensive participation in group activities, he became adept at managing his anxiety and behavioral issues. Gradually, he gained confidence, developed positive behavior patterns, and started engaging with his peers and teachers, effectively expressing his needs and emotions.
Comparing Aman's progress from the day he joined DOSTI to the present, the transformation is remarkable. He is now settled, communicates efficiently, and exhibits minimal behavioral issues. Additionally, Aman has discovered a talent for dance and has become a star performer at numerous school events, which has further enhanced his confidence and social integration.
Rudraksh Singh embarked on his journey with DOSTI through online classes shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. His parents, both posted out of town, made the decision to settle in Lucknow. Rudraksh's mother, a government teacher, was keenly aware of what would be best for her child's development. DOSTI staff still recall vividly the time when Rudraksh first joined the Secondary class; he was extremely reserved and lacking in self-esteem due to his struggles with English proficiency. Filled with uncertainty and fear about fitting into the new environment and city, Rudraksh faced a daunting challenge ahead.
However, the teachers at DOSTI embraced this challenge wholeheartedly, as they always do. Through their unwavering dedication and hard work, they successfully transformed Rudraksh from a shy individual into a confident all-round achiever within a year. Rudraksh blossomed into a remarkable individual, excelling not only academically but also showcasing his talents in various co-curricular activities. From music, both Western and Indian, to dance, drums, and sports, particularly skating, Rudraksh left an indelible mark, earning accolades and medals for himself and bringing pride not only to his parents but also to the entire school.
Adding another feather to his cap, Rudraksh has now successfully transferred to CFL to complete his 10th grade through the NIOS Board—a testament to his remarkable progress in academics. Reflecting on his transformative journey, his class teacher is reminded of a poignant quote by Robert John Meehan: "It shouldn’t matter how slowly a child learns; what matters is that we encourage them to never stop trying." With this sentiment, we at DOSTI extend our heartfelt wishes to Rudraksh for a bright and prosperous future ahead.
Tanu became a part of DOSTI in 2011 at the tender age of 11. Initially placed in the pre-vocational group after a thorough evaluation of her academic and extracurricular abilities, she transitioned to the vocational cooking group in 2015.
Despite being non-verbal, Tanu effectively communicates through gestures, showcasing strong receptive language skills. While academic performance may not be her forte, she comprehends instructions thoroughly and executes them proficiently.
Her strengths shine in a variety of co-curricular activities such as dance, drama, sports, yoga, swimming, and cooking. Upon joining DOSTI, she struggled with word and number recognition, but with perseverance, she has made significant progress.
Encouraged by her passion and supported by her parents, she found her niche in the vocational cooking group. She has flourished over the years, independently mastering numerous recipes, including mathri, sakhen, tea, coffee, various vegetable dishes, roti, poori, and assorted rice dishes. With continued guidance, she is poised to pursue a career in the culinary arts.
Beyond cooking, Tanu excels in sports. She achieved state-level recognition in floorball and secured a spot in the national-level competition in 2019. She also demonstrates prowess in swimming, consistently earning top honors in school competitions.
Despite limited speech, her enthusiasm for dance and drama is palpable, leading to commendable performances in various competitions. Her dedication and achievements are praiseworthy, reflecting her strong commitment to personal growth and excellence.
"Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times" – This insightful quote resonates deeply with Mrityunjay Kumar Prajapati, a student of Secondary Group at DOSTI. When Mrityunjay first joined DOSTI, he was introverted, meek, and reserved. He rarely interacted with his peers or teachers, preferring to work quietly and often hesitant to ask questions due to his low self-confidence and unclear speech.
However, with the unwavering support, guidance, and motivation from his teachers, as well as the crucial trust of his parents in DOSTI, Mrityunjay gradually flourished. Like a caterpillar transforming into a beautiful butterfly, he gained confidence and high self-esteem, spreading his wings without bounds. Mrityunjay excelled in a wide array of co-curricular activities including dance, drama, art, instrumental music, and sports, representing DOSTI not only at school events but also at various state, national, and even international levels, earning praise and accolades for himself and Study Hall as a whole.
Mrityunjay's achievements extend beyond the realm of extracurriculars; he has also excelled academically, evolving into an all-rounder. Furthermore, he is now being groomed as an assistant to his teacher, where he continues to shine and make us proud with his diligent performance of his duties.
As Mrityunjay's journey of transformation continues, we are confident that he will shine brightly like a star. Team DOSTI is proud of you, Mrityunjay! Stay blessed.
Advika (name changed), diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, joined the Early Intervention Unit a year ago at the age of 4. Initially struggling to understand and respond to environmental cues, she avoided eye contact, cried when she was required to remain seated for more than 30 minutes consecutively, and exhibited sensory and fine motor difficulties along with an extremely short attention span of less than 30 seconds.
Following daily one-on-one therapeutic interventions, Advika has achieved notable progress. She now demonstrates an increased tolerance for sustained sitting extending up to 40 minutes. Furthermore, her attention span has extended, enabling her to concentrate on tasks for 20-25 minutes in one go. She now responds to environmental cues with the help of visual and physical prompts and has begun verbalizing individual words like "tomato" and "car," despite delayed speech. Significant improvements have also been observed in her fine motor skills and pencil grip compared to the previous year.
The Early Intervention team and Advika’s parents are happy with her gradual progress, and they are hopeful that she can soon be integrated into a group setup.