Kothanalloor: Kerala's first international autism school begins operation at Kothanalloor in Kottayam district. Called LISA (Leaders and Ladders International School of Autism), it is the dream-come-true of three friends who shared a passion to contribute something unique to the community.
Sabu Thomas and Jaleesh Peter, its two co-founders, had met at Devamatha College in Kuravilangad. They met Minu, managing partner of a firm called Cake Walkers and a media consultant, while the the duo were working together at ESAF where Sabu is the vice-president and Jaleesh is its head of branding and communications. Their workmanship, comraderie and desire to bring about change helped build LISA.
The school offers a curriculum integrating studies, therapy, skills training and care. The number of students in a class is limited to five. In addition to regular classes, the students are also given occupational training, speech, sensory integration, music and art therapies.
The school campus is spread over an area of 2.75 acres and the smart classrooms make the studies easier. Moreover, parents and teachers meet every Friday to discuss the progress of the students.
According to the school founders, the goal of the institute is to provide the best training to children with autism in order to make them self-sufficient. Alongside regular studies, the children are empowered here to make the transition to normal school. The friends also intends to build the school into a research center as well.
