ARC Concludes Speech and Hearing Camp in Shaviyani Atoll

Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has concluded its 11th Speech and Hearing Camp in Shaviyani Atoll, providing specialised support to children with speech and hearing impairments across five islands. 

In a press release, ARC said more than 88 children from Funadhoo, Milandhoo, Lhaimagu, Feevah and Narudhoo received free consultations, diagnoses, individual assessments and audiometric tests during the four-day camp. An international speech therapist led the clinical assessments.

The press release said that, based on the evaluations, the therapist developed tailored intervention plans for each child. The plans included classroom-based strategies for teachers and home-based techniques for parents to help ensure continued progress beyond the camp.

As part of the programme, the speech therapist conducted a workshop for teachers working with students with special educational needs. The session focused on improving articulation and speech, minimising communication challenges and applying practical intervention techniques in classroom settings. More than 40 teachers from Lhaimagu School and Narudhoo School attended the workshop in Lhaimagu.

The therapist also held small-group sessions with Special Educational Needs teachers from Milandhoo, Feevah and Funadhoo to address specific challenges faced by students with speech difficulties.