Shantala for children and adults with functional limitations
Shantala Special Care, www.shantalaspecialezorg.nl, is first and foremost a treatment approach based on respect. When caring for others, treating them with respect is an important aspect of quality. People with special needs/functional limitations are frequently dependent on others, such as care professionals, in their environment for treatment and care. Respect for and dignity of the other should be foremost under all circumstances and be the starting point of each relationship and action with another. By working from the starting points of Shantala Special care, you are able to make contact with another on a fundamental level and communicate that you accept the other as he/she is.
As a structured method of touch, the Shantala treatment can be given over clothing or on bare skin. This allows it to be easily applied to all ages, all special needs/functional limitations and all sorts of situations. This can take place during daily care activities such as washing, drying, (un)dressing and feeding, and also as whole or partial body treatment.
The important starting points of Shantala Special Care are how a person is approached and how the person is touched.
The essence is to make contact so that others can experience themselves in a manner that is suitable for themselves. It involves:
- How contact is initiated and ended.
- The quality of the contact and touch. (With complete attention and maintaining continuous contact)
- Slowing down one’s tempo and actions.
- Creating a sense of safety and security through rhythmic movements and repetition, which allow circumstances to become more clear.
