Founder’s Profile
Sudha Ganesh Chella
Sudha is a pioneer in the field of specific learning difficulties – dyslexia. She was one of the first to be trained formally and has since supported the growth and development of over a thousand children.
Her joy comes from seeing these children mature as well- adjusted adults who have taken on careers that they enjoy in line with their true potential.
Sudha is equally passionate about creating an enabling environment for these children. To this end she has worked with parents and teachers, resource centres, counselors and therapists.
Entry into the field of dyslexia
Her career in special education began with Alpha to Omega Learning centre in 1990. She worked with Mrs. Lalitha Ramanujan who was a pioneer in the field.
Education and Training
Sudha Ganesh is a post-graduate in Child development and family relations. She completed her masters from JBAS (S.I.E.T) College in 1990. She did her graduation in Nutrition and Dietetics from WCC, Chennai. She has also completed her B Ed in Special education from Madras University.
Her professional training includes the following:
- Certificate in Specific Learning Difficulties, Alpha to Omega Learning Centre (awarded by The Hornsby Centre, London) – 1990
- Teacher Training at Madras Dyslexia Association – 1992
- Teaching Approaches for Students with specific learning difficulties at Alpha to Omega Learning Centre – 1996
- Diploma in Structural Cognitive Modifiability (I.E), ICELP Jerusalem – Phase I to Phase III – 1996 – 1999
- Certificate in Three in One Concepts in Basic One Brain & Tools of the Trade
- Corporate I.E – 1997
- Strategies Intervention model – 1999
- Montessori Method of teaching Math – 2000
- Learning Propensity Assessment Device (LPAD), ICELP Jerusalem – 2003
- Participation in the International Conferences for Learning Disabilities – 1998, 2002, 2004
- Trained in ‘ Effective teaching of primary mathematics’ by Mr. S Sundaram, Math advisor and mentor, in the year 2014.
She is a Certified Professional from the Rehabilitation Council of India. Her CRR No : A25813.
diksa learning centre
In the year 2001, Sudha founded diksa. diksa offers one-to-one remediation in reading, writing, spelling and arithmetic for children with dyslexia,dyscalculia and ADHD.
Over these years, Sudha has played a hands-on role in screening and diagnosis for learning disabilities, conducting awareness workshops for parents, tutor training for those interested in pursuing a career in special education, parent and student counseling and thinking skills workshops for children of various age groups.
She has also trained over 100 children in the Instrumental enrichment program meant to teach children thinking skills and thereby enhance their IQ.
diksa launched the Grow with Math program to teach math concepts in an innovative and fun way. This was primarily meant for children with dyscalculia but soon evolved to include all school children. The program is a one of its kind and has been hugely successful.
During the pandemic Sudha and her team supported parents and children with on-line remedial support. Sudha also conducted a thirteen-part talk series on various aspects of learning difficulties including parenting, tutoring and overall awareness building.
Sudha and her team also conducted online workshops on specific topics such as phonics, math and written expression for teachers.
What Sudha values
Sudha firmly believes that special education has to be seen as a serious profession if it had to attract good talent and benefit students. To this end, Sudha gives her time to several other full-time special schools for teacher training. She has conducted tutor training at schools like Sankalp, S.I.E.T Dyslexia Centre, GRT School, V- Excel educational trust, Samvardhana and Srishti. Many of her tutor trainees have established very meaningful careers in the field of special education.
Sudha’s other interests include Sanskrit, Indian philosophy and Carnatic music.
Sudha is married to Ganesh Chella and has two daughters, Vaishnavi and Varsha.
Recognition
- Honoured by the Rotary Club of Madras North with the Rotnorth Aasan Award for her contribution to the field.
- Honoured by CHILD – Centre for Holistic Integrated Learning and Development for her outstanding service and dedication towards individuals with Learning difficulties.
- Honoured by the Mulakanadu Sabha, Chennai for her contributions to the field.
- Sudha has written several articles on various aspects of Learning Difficulties in leading national dailies such as The Hindu and The Times of India. She has also given Television and Radio interviews on the same.
- She has conducted awareness workshops on dyslexia and remediation in several schools in the city as well as outside Chennai.
- Her article on her journey as a special educator-Three decades as a special educator…Read More
