Speech Therapy - Professional Placement in Hyderabad, India

Whilst speech and language impairments can be treated through therapy, shortage of qualified staff means that children with autism in India often do not receive such treatments. Furthermore, syllabi at graduate and postgraduate level are outdated, so that staff has not had the chance to take advantage of modern methods in the field.

Throughout this placement, you will work as an integral part of a local team at a learning centre for children with autism, ensuring that the level of support for the children is streamlined between the centre, school and their homes. You will be responsible to devise and provide training for staff, including theoretical workshops and practical sessions. You will also provide support and information sessions for teachers and parents, to help them gain a better understanding of the child's disability. Equipping parents and teachers with activities and exercises for the home and the classroom means that the child receives continuous support and has the best chance as leading an independent and happy life.

Volunteering your professional skills as a speech therapist is a great step to invigorate your career, develop new skills through this unique learning opportunity, and take your professional experience to the next level. Immersing yourself in the local culture and working in a new context, you will be able to experience - and contribute towards - support fro autistic children in Hyderabad.

This volunteer experience is an amazing learning opportunity for everyone involved, leading to long-term impact in the field of disability care in India. As the volunteer, you are put in the unique position to share your skills, facilitate staff learning, and therefore provide long-term benefits to the organisation and the children. At the same time, volunteering your skills and working cross-culturally with a local team is a rewarding experience for any professional. You practice your problem-solving and cross-cultural working skills, employ creative and innovative thinking regularly, and take full advantage of life as a local - rather than a tourist.

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