My Journey Working with Children with Multiple Disabilities – Translation of tamil article posted on 11.02.2026

I am a Special Educator with 5 years of experience as an assistant teacher and 8 years in the field of special education. I have been working with children with multiple disabilities for the past two years. These two years have been a period of profound changes in my teaching career.

Children with Multiple Disabilities

These children need help from others to speak, see, walk, and perform daily activities. However, each child lives in a unique world of their own, and their preferences and feelings are not the same.

Small Effort. Big Change

There was a child who did not even open her eyes at first, but I noticed that she showed interest in some sounds. When I trained her by tweaking that interest, she started opening her eyes and looking around. The joy I felt at this small change is immeasurable.

Play-based Training

I sensed that a child who was always crying really liked the game of hide and seek. Using that game, I slowly involved her in the training, and she started playing.

Friendship that Built Trust

Even though a child could speak well, he did not talk due to shyness. I spoke to him using kind words, told stories, sang songs and made him tell stories too, and gained his trust. Today, even though he is in another city, we keep in touch over the phone.

Importance of Life Skills in Education

I made the parents understand that learning everyday life skills are more important to these children than reading and writing. I myself being the mother of a special child, shared my experiences with them. Now, the parents also cooperate fully for the development of the children.

Small Improvements

• The children have learnt to eat by themselves, with help.

• Improved bladder control.

• Children who would not look at our faces, today, have learned to look at us and hold objects in their hands firmly.

These small steps are the biggest success for me. This journey is not easy. But every small progress is the biggest reward for a special teacher. The lesson these children have taught me is – if there is love and patience, change will definitely happen. I hope sharing my experiences will be a small encouragement to Special Educators and special parents who travel with children like me.