Teach and Support Autistic Children

  India

• New Delhi: 
New Delhi

Length of Position: 2 months onwards
Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks

Description: You can volunteer to work on your gap year with an organisation that is committed to making a difference to the lives of people affected by autism. Based in Delhi, this pioneering charity is making a huge difference in the way autism is understood and dealt with in India. This busy organisation runs several programs, including clinical services (assessment, counselling, and referral), parent and teacher training, running workshops and lectures, conducting research in the field of autism, and publishing their own journal.

About the Organisation: Located in a quiet and laid back corner of Delhi, the organisation has worked since 1991 with autistic children and their families to support and enable them to live as fully participating members of the community. The organization acts as a main centre for autism in India. Families from all over the country come to them for diagnosis and training so that they can go home with the knowledge and methods to cope. A special school for autistic children now forms an integral part of the activity this organisation undertakes.

Your Role: As a gap year volunteer you can help the organisation to continue with their important life-changing work. You will primarily be involved in teaching and mentoring children, aged five and upwards, a variety of subjects such as English, music, drama arts and crafts. You will also receive on the job training to teach autistic and communication impaired children. As you gain experience you can run workshops to help teach the parents more about autism and how to cope with it.

Highlights: Challenging and rewarding this gap year voluntary project gives you the chance to develop great communication and interpersonal skills. Through mentoring the children you will see a change in their behaviour and interaction, knowing that you have helped in such a way is the biggest achievement of all.

Like all not for profit organisations this project relies heavily on volunteers. Communication is a key to helping autistic children so if you love children and love to communicate, what more do you need? Autistic children are visual learners and need a structured environment. You'll receive training to develop your communication and teaching skills and the more of your time and energy you give to the children and to their families the more you'll develop these and your leadership skills.

Qualifications:
- You need to be over 18 by the date of departure
- You need to have an equivalent of 3 A Levels
- You need to bring your energy and enthusiasm to make a difference
- You do not need any previous care or teaching experience or language certification, English will be the primary language of communication

Cost in US$: 4176 for 4 months

Not Included:
International flights.
Travel insurance.
Spending money.
Local transport & travel.

Credit Available: yes

Salary / Pay: Voluntary Work

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: What it means to be a GapGuru Volunteer: The answer depends on what you are prepared to put into it. No matter how old you are, Gapping equates to Growing. Becoming a GapGuru Volunteer means you'll be able to look back and say, 'Wow! I'm really glad I did that!' When you volunteer, you truly give. From the first day, you'll see how much the people truly need your help. And every day you're there, you'll be able to get a sense of making a difference. You'll expand your mind and widen your experience. You'll increase all kinds of skills and discover new abilities you never knew you had. A Gap that is structured and planned for maximum benefits will impress your future employers as well as your future instructors and lecturers. GapGuru Volunteers help, teach and lead in areas as diverse as wildlife conservation, music, mobile schools, and medical care.

Age Range: 18 and above

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to India Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 2-3

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network