Imagine being a parent in India, watching your child struggle in a classroom that simply doesn’t understand their needs. They’re confused, left behind and struggling in a system unequipped to offer the specialized support they require. For thousands of families, this reality is all too familiar. The lack of awareness around special education, compounded by societal stigma, makes it difficult for parents to find the right resources, leaving them anxious about their child’s future.
In response to this pressing need, Yashwardhini Chauhan founded Colours of Hope, a Special Education Needs Centre designed to provide the understanding, care and tailored learning environments that these children deserve. Her approach addresses the educational gaps and further helps destigmatize special education, creating a community where both parents and children feel empowered.
Through Colours of Hope, she is changing lives by championing inclusivity and ensuring every child is given the opportunity to thrive. By forming partnerships with local schools, healthcare providers and advocacy groups, she builds a robust support system for families who have often felt overlooked or misunderstood.
Yashwardhini’s mission is to create a more inclusive society where children with special needs are not just accommodated but are given the tools and support to truly excel. She is driven by a vision to ensure that the unique requirements of every child are met, reaching their potential in ways that mainstream education often fails to do. But her work doesn’t stop with the children. She’s equally committed to the well-being of their caregivers, recognizing the immense challenges they face by starting parent support groups which are available both on offline and online platforms.
At Colours of Hope, she’s creating a sustainable framework that supports both the children and their families, promoting academic success along with emotional well-being and a balanced life. In fostering a society that values diversity and inclusivity, Yashwardhini empowers children and their families to thrive together changing the narrative around special education in India, one family at a time.
Advocating for Strength-based Approaches in Education
Yashwardhini’s journey to establish the Centre stemmed from her experiences as a school counsellor, where she observed the overwhelming demand for support exceeding available resources. Many children were misdiagnosed as having behavioural issues due to a lack of understanding of their sensory and social challenges. As a Psychologist and a parent of a child with special needs, she empathized significantly with families navigating these difficulties.
In 2018, recognizing the scarcity of specialized centres in Jaipur, she felt compelled to create “Colours of Hope,” a place that symbolizes the diverse strengths of each child. Starting in a single room, she quickly learned about the emotional toll on families, often desperate for effective support. Introducing a strength-based approach, she emphasizes each child’s unique talents, developing confidence and resilience.
Over time, Yashwardhini and her team developed individualized programs to address each child’s requirements, focusing on skills in English, Hindi and Math, thinking and skills of developing perception, memory, fine-motor skills, fulfilling their sensory needs and social skills as well as daily living skills.
The centre has grown significantly since its founding, attracting media interest and an increasing enrolment of students.
Advocating for a shift from the traditional medical model to a strength-based perspective, presently she aligns with the belief that we must change the environment to support diverse learners. She quotes the change in Western countries towards incorporating positive psychology and shifting derogatory terminology used for children e.g. ‘Autistic child‘ as ‘Identity First Language‘ and ADHD as ‘seeking connectedness.’
This progressive perspective resonates deeply with her own journey, as she reflects on establishing the centre—a decision she regards as one of her best, guided by a sense of purpose to help children and their families thrive.
Promoting Inclusion for Neurodiverse Children
Yashwardhini reflects on the profound joy of motherhood and the heartbreak that comes with a special needs’ diagnosis. When her son was three and a half, she sensed something was amiss, yet misdiagnoses complicated their journey. Initially despondent after receiving his first diagnosis, she longed for reassurance rather than the shame often associated with the medical model of special needs.
Over time, she began advocating for openness about neurodiversity, emphasizing the importance of understanding and acceptance in schools. Her son’s admission to a specialized school abroad was transformative, allowing her to connect with professionals and gain insights into his unique abilities. She believes that every child, regardless of diagnosis, has strengths worth celebrating.
Recently, she celebrated her son’s achievements with the release of their song “Stepping into the Light” by Gautamaditya and Sicra Productions and his poetry book “Alternate Current (A Collection of Poems)” which she considers a step towards improvement for more special needs children in India.
Children with Special Needs Teach Us More Than What We Can Teach Them!
Yashwardhini emphasizes a strength-based approach at “Colours of Hope,” focusing on each child’s unique perspective and potential rather than their challenges. Moving ahead her greatest inspiration is in the remarkable progress of her students. For instance, a first-grade boy who found it extremely difficult to sit and concentrate along with speech difficulties amazed his mother by engaging for an entire hour, without distraction showcasing his enthusiasm which continued for one and half years and brought about remarkable progress.
Another transformative case involved a fourth-grade girl diagnosed with Dyslexia (spelling and reading difficulty) who had changed several schools before coming to the centre. She was able to read and spell words correctly, eventually reading story books independently and gaining confidence.
The centre’s commitment to mindful teaching fostered positive outcomes and many at times turned therapeutic for many children who refuse to go home after sessions are over. She recalls a sixth-grade boy who rarely communicated socially has started talking, taking interest in the world around him with curiosity and enthusiasm which reflects the nurturing environment they create.
Embracing Individuality in Learning
Yashwardhini underscores the importance of adapting teaching methods to align with how children learn, emphasizing the quote, “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.” She criticizes the tendency to mould children into a preferred image instead of recognizing their individuality, advocating for educators to facilitate growth without limitations.
Calling for a transformation in the Indian education system, she acknowledges the National Education Policy’s improvements while highlighting the ongoing challenges. Many schools still refuse admission to children with special needs and the support varies significantly between metropolitan and smaller cities.
To address the same, she advocates for a comprehensive team of specialists in schools, including special educators, occupational and speech therapists, to meet diverse needs. Citing Rabindranath Tagore, she reflects on the need to avoid categorizing children with special needs in discriminatory ways.
Yashwardhini emphasizes that inclusion is a fundamental right, urging stricter government action against schools that superficially comply with regulations. She promotes the famous ‘Whole School Approach,’ which fosters a supportive environment for all children. She emphasises that school management plays a crucial and dynamic role in breaking the taboo towards children and sensitizing teachers.
Advocating for enhanced teacher training in special education, she calls for compassion and open-mindedness in educational settings. Echoing Swami Vivekananda’s call to action, she reinforces the urgency for meaningful change in how children with special needs are treated and educated in India.
Building a Resilient Team in Education
Yashwardhini faced numerous challenges after founding the Centre in 2018. Despite initial success, personal circumstances forced her to step away, leading to a decline in operations. The pandemic further complicated matters. During that time she discovered valuable insights into Twice Exceptional (2e) children and gifted children. In mid-2020, she organized a web conference that highlighted the need for systemic changes in special education, reflecting a growing demand for knowledge-sharing initiatives.
As the centre stabilized after the pandemic, she learned to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, supported by her faith and the encouragement of friends. She emphasized an open-door policy for staff, recognizing the unique backgrounds and struggles of each team member. Her philosophy of “each to its own” fostered understanding and empowerment within her leadership approach.
Through experiences, she learned that kindness often brings support when needed most. She advocates for patience and gentleness in interactions, believing that these qualities can transform behaviour and foster a positive environment. Today, she remains committed to navigating complexities with empathy, drawing strength from the idea that tenderness is a powerful form of resilience.
The Future of Special Education Leadership
Inspired by the Navaratri festival, Yashwardhini reflects on the belief in Indian tradition that every woman embodies ‘Shakti,’ the divine energy essential for supporting children with special needs. She observes that ninety-nine per cent of those advocating for these children are mothers, naturally positioning women for leadership roles in this field.
She emphasizes that no one understands special needs better than a mother who has experienced the struggles and battles faced daily by society. She accentuates the importance of proper training, advocating for degrees in psychology and special education to understand children’s needs better.
Practical experience, alongside theoretical knowledge, is vital, as each child’s challenges vary, even within similar diagnoses. This individualized understanding aligns seamlessly with the strengths of women leaders, who are often preferred in educational settings for their empathy and multitasking skills, making them uniquely qualified to drive progress in this field.
Uphill Climb
Yashwardhini highlights on focussing on humane practices in special education, asserting that emotional sensitivity is crucial. She is grateful for the trust of parents and underscores the importance of viewing differences as alternative strengths, cultivating growth and transformation for children with special needs. She started with a campaign ‘Build Awareness, Break Taboo’ to create more support for children and parents for an inclusive society.
By fostering a community of informed leaders, she believes educators can create compassionate, effective learning environments, ensuring every child feels understood and supported. She is writing a book for parents and educators based on her life experiences. She aspires to create a community that prepares children for life’s challenges, embodying Aristotle’s belief that true education nurtures both the mind and the heart.
