The exploration into the complexities of teaching a child with autism propelled Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan, a software engineer and management graduate, into a transformative journey within the realm of special education. Presently, Dr. Narasimhan serves as a committed Special Educator, Inclusive Education Specialist, Vocational Trainer, and Counsellor, amassing over a decade of invaluable experience in these specialized domains.
Holdings include a Doctorate in Special Education and a Post-Graduate degree in Psychology, accompanied by specialized training in Yoga as therapy, handwriting modification, sensory therapy, behavior modifications, and other pertinent professional qualifications. Recognized as a “POSH Practitioner,” Dr. Narasimhan assumes the role of an ‘Internal Committee Specialist,’ addressing issues related to the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace.
Acknowledging the imperative for a more extensive impact, Dr. Narasimhan founded the Prakramika Institute in Chennai, India, in 2015, with a specific mission to enhance the lives of children with special needs.
Dr. Gayatri Narasimhan
- Vocational Training
Since its establishment in 2015, PVI has effectively conducted free comprehensive vocational training, including the formulation of strategies for establishing ‘Vocational Centres,’ in major Indian cities such as Lucknow, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, and Kozhikode (in partnership with NGOs), as well as in Oman for special educators, teachers, parents, and caregivers of neurodiverse children/adults. In response to the onset of the pandemic, PVI initiated free online training sessions/webinars for the neurodiverse community in both India and Oman. In January 2021, PVI introduced its first course on Front Office Management to 14 neurodiverse adults from India, Oman, and Abu Dhabi. Despite being conducted online due to the pandemic, the course’s proper structuring, emphasis on practical demonstrations, and interactions with professionals from the hotel industry ensured that students acquired the necessary skills.
- Skill based courses
In the capacity of the main faculty at Prakramika Vocational Institute (PVI), Dr. Narasimhan actively participates in delivering online skill development courses to hundreds of children and young adults with special needs. These initiatives are designed to empower participants for diverse industries through collaborative efforts with placement firms. Notably, all pursuits and initiatives led by Dr. Narasimhan are rooted in a commitment to service, maintaining an unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of quality and rigor in the courses offered.
Encouraged by this success and with a commitment to providing more options for the neurodiverse community, the program was expanded in June 2021 to offer a three-month course covering Front Office Management, Graphic Design, Teacher Assistant, Workplace Communication, and MS Office. In response to the increasing demand and popularity of the courses, PVI scaled up its operations to offer free structured Career Pro courses since January 2022. It is worth noting that, despite being offered free of charge, there is no compromise in the quality of the courses, as the curriculum is tailored to the required skills, ensuring excellence in content delivery.