SCAN is a non-profit organization registered as a Public Charitable Trust in Tamil Nadu
The journey of SCAN started back in 2012, with a yoga program for special needs families. Over time we found that, in addition to the yoga itself, the meeting of special needs families in a relaxed environment had a very positive impact on both the children and the parents. We also found many parents of special needs children were looking for such peer interaction and socializing opportunities. This led to forming the parent support group for special needs families in mid-2015. SCAN is now a well-known group in Chennai, with over 600 members, and close to 4000 supporters on Facebook. SCAN members have children with various special needs – Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, Intellectual Disability, Dyslexia, ADHD, etc.
We conduct seminars and workshops relating to Special Needs, some of which are:
Gyaan Budhwar is a series of experience sharing sessions by parents, on their journey with special needs and what they have learnt that others could find useful
Financial and Legal planning sessions, on how to prepare for care for your child in the future, benefits of forming a trust, etc.
Techniques and approaches for special needs, such as alternative communication for non-verbal children, workshops on teaching math, behaviour management techniques, NLP, etc.
Alternative healthcare therapies such as acupressure, reiki, pranic healing, Bach flower therapy, etc.
SCAN arranges classes in areas of alternative therapies and fitness, such as Yoga classes for children and their mothers, and Swimming lessons by trained instructors at a pool in Chennai.
SCAN also organises a number of social programs and events for Special Needs families.
We have run a cafe called Mitr Café on Sunday evenings since 2016. This is a social occasion for special needs families, where the children help prepare and serve food.
We have fun activities like traditional games, music performances, story-telling, Zumba, etc.
We conduct special programs for occasions like Diwali, Christmas, New Year’s Day, Children’s Day, World Autism Awareness Day, etc.
Activities include external events like picnic to Rail Museum and surfing at Kovalam beach.
Our vocational unit, Tarang, comprises young adults who work on a full-time basis under the supervision of parents in making various food products, handicrafts and decorative items. Their merchandise is much sought after by the community.
