Dilkhush Special School began in 1971 with just 15 students in an old Bungalow in Juhu. It continues to be housed in the same bungalow but the school now an allocated capacity of 100 students. The aim of the school is to cater to the all round development of children with intellectual Disabilities. The school is open to people from all walks of life, with the only criterion for admission being the availability of a seat related to the appropriate age group (with the minimum age for admission being 5 years) and an IQ level between 35 and 70.
The school has 10 classes, which focus on academic and vocational skills. The number of students in each class differs according to abilities, age and the focus of the class in terms of academic and vocational training. Each class is led by a special educator with a diploma in special education – ID ( Intellectual Disability) recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). Dilkhush Special School’s educational programmes are based on the following principles:
1. Functional Academics: basic reading, writing and math, and its application to daily living.
2. Self-care skills: personal hygiene and grooming.
3. Pre-vocational skills: skills training in art and craft, cooking, needlework and bead-work.
4. Extra Curricular Activities: yoga, music, dance, sport and drama.
5. Independence and social skills: Ability to independently interact and communicate with others in different situations and contexts.