Minds and Souls is the only Special School in India, which focuses entirely on COMPUTER THERAPY.

This course offers an introduction to the use of personal computers. Computer Therapy plays a major role in the development of these children, as students will use the Windows environment to identify and use the four different parts of the keyboard and learn to use an integrated mouse. Specialized Keyboarding techniques and Computer Therapy Software skills will be covered. Astalavista has launched 2 major therapies, namely Minds and Souls Educational Computer Therapy (MNSECT) and Minds and Souls Gaming Computer Therapy (MNSGCT).

Augmentative communication aids (e.g., communication books, boards, and wallets; portable communication devices with speech and/or written output, communication software), as well as computers and interactive software can enhance the speech, language, and interactive skills of persons with Down syndrome. Meyers25 was among the first to demonstrate the facilitative effects of using a computer with preschool children with Down syndrome in the early 1980s.

The computer is well-established as a powerful learning tool and an interactive context. In a recent study, it was concluded that severely handicapped children (some of whom had Down syndrome) made improvements in specific vocabulary, general language skills, and social skills after an intervention that involved individualized, clinician-facilitated computer training in addition to a classroom communication curriculum.

Children in their study were able to sustain interest and respond over a period of at least 10 weeks. Parents and teachers felt positive about the instruction. These researchers discussed the concern about implementation of their approach in a cost effective manner. They speculated that such training could be implemented by paraprofessionals, parent volunteers or peer tutors after initial training and consultation from communication and technology specialists.

In recent times Computer Education Program was directed to achieve goals and to promote optimal use of computers with children from ages 5 to 13 years and their families. A series of booklets entitled Home-Based Computer Program for Children with Down Syndrome was published.