The team from Portobello Institute at Lady Andal Open School
When Lakshmi Menon and her team members started to solve the ‘Zin Monument’ activity based on clues given to them, they found it an uphill task. The problem-solving exercise required them to determine the day of the week the monument was completed. They found themselves having to do three things simultaneously: look at the problem keenly; communicate it in the best possible way and collaborate intensely as they went about solving it.More than 30 special educators like Lakshmi, representing WeCAN, got a ringside view of a variety of problem-solving strategies they could apply in their classroom, thanks to an immersive workshop organised by Chennai Volunteers in partnership with Portobello Institute in Ireland.
Team Portobello with the staff of Jayam Special School after a field visit
‘Celebrating Neurodiversity 2.0’, as the workshop was called, was aimed at upskilling special educators, therapists, trainers working with children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental and behavioural challenges.In a press release, Rinku Mecheri, founder, Chennai Volunteers, says that the programme is a follow-up to last year’s initiative, based on an in-depth assessment of the unique needs of special children in underserved communities, in and around Chennai.The initiative is aimed at strengthening non-profits working in the field of special education so that so they can work more effectively with their students and beneficiaries.In this certified programme, the content and presentations are shared with all, and each team cascades the knowledge to their colleagues in the respective organisation, says Rinku. This in-person programme would be followed by online sessions.A team of six faculty led by Denise Flood, Executive Dean of Portobello Institute, conducted various sessions including one on impact of physical education, creative arts and music therapy in the classroom.The team from Portobello Institute also visited some of the schools or homes to engage with the students.Rinku says Chennai Volunteers is proud to host this programme that helps the special needs educators and therapists by building their skills, strengthening inclusion and creating impact.“Volunteers can bring about transformative change through capacity building and skill training, and we want more individuals and organisations to come forward and benefit,” she adds.One can reach out to Chennai Volunteers at contactus@chennaivolunteers.org or call 9840182299. Published - February 28, 2026 05:14 pm IST
