Testimonials
Dr Sudha Kaul PhD
Founder, Trustee and & Vice Chair
Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy
Padma Shri
It is my pleasure to write a testimonial for Vijaya Dutt who I have known since 1990. She was a highly valued teaching member of our staff at our Centre for Special Education, IICP for 14 years. In her role as the Vice Principal of CSE, she demonstrated her skills of working closely with both Parents and Students, sensitive to their needs and concerns, enjoying their respect and trust. She took an active interest in the well being of each of her students Her pupils responded well to her engaging approach to education and genuine interest in them.
As a staff member Vijaya went beyond her call of duty and played a significant role as a professional at IICP. She was involved with writing and developing teaching material that was both innovative as well as practical. She was a key team member closely involved with the development of various Departments at IICP. Her commitment to her work was exceptional.
Vijaya is a sensitive and skilled professional with a wide experience in both teaching and counselling. And most importantly is a sensitive human being, a quality we respect in our teaching profession.
Tessa Hamblin MSCP MBE
Honorary Consultant,
Therapy and Rehabilitation,
Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy
Having known Vijaya for over thirty years and worked closely with her for many of those I know how much expertise she has in the fields of special education and counselling. She was excellent as the principal of Centre for Special Education, a service of Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata, one of the premier institutes in India. She was able to combine her natural ability to motivate staff of all disciplines as well showing great empathy to families. She developed holistic knowledge of all the professionals involved in working with persons with disability of all ages and was able to combine therapy within the teaching programmes. A thorough professional.
Madhu Kanoria
Parent of a child with
severe learning disability
I have known Vijaya for almost 27 years now. She was my special child’s first mentor and my counsellor. Her patience, guidance, genuineness and techniques were all of A+ level. The way she guided and mentored and tutored my hyperactive child is something to be learnt by all special educators. In fact the tailor made programmes she would do for Swadha, as per our living conditions and preferences, was fantastic ….she would inculcate little details of our household into her curriculum and guide my child with great effort into small activities patiently.
I, as a parent also learnt how to deal with her special needs to a large extent from Vijaya.
There are many learned and highly qualified special educators and mentors but there is something special about Vijaya’s techniques. She flows with the child ( instead of making the child adapt to her ways) thereby bringing in a sea change to each and every student under her guidance!
I have known Vijaya Dutt for over 30 years and have observed her at work both in India and the United Kingdom. She is an experienced psychologist and an outstanding therapist, counsellor and special educator. She has detailed knowledge about the education of children with a range of disabilities and is experienced in supporting them directly and in working with their parents and teachers. In addition to her abundant and up to date knowledge of the latest therapeutic and teaching techniques, she has a calm, reassuring manner and immediately gains the trust and confidence of those with whom she comes into contact.
Peter Farrell,
BA, MEd, PhD, FBPsS
Emeritus Professor of Educational Psychology
University of Manchester, UK
Former President of the International School Psychology Association
Karishma Anand
Designer/ Stylist
I highly recommend Vijaya. She's someone who has been one of the greatest pillars of support for me and my family during a testing time. I know myself better than ever before and I'm able to deal with all the hurdles in my day to day life since the time I've started my sessions with her. She is very constructive with the feedback that she gives and is completely unbiased with her opinion, something each one of us needs to be able to understand the root of the issues that plague us everyday.
Today I feel I'm in a better place with how I truly feel about myself and in turn I am able to give back to my family and my close ones. I sincerely hope that everyone seeking to better their lives should definitely seek guidance from her.
It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside Vijaya Dutt in her capacity as Head of SEN at Step by Step School, Noida. Vijaya combines her rich experience with the skills of a special educator, therapist and counsellor and has helped and supported countless children and parents who have needed advice and direction. She brings empathy, wisdom and ethical professionalism to every interaction creating safe spaces for parents and children.
Abha Adams
Educationist
Ms. Vijaya Dutt has led the SEN department at Step by Step School for almost a decade. During her tenure Ms. Dutt was instrumental in initiating many programs for students with special needs. She was a great mentor to the staff, students and parents of the department. Ms. Dutt nurtured and strengthened the team with her inclusive approach. During her tenure she touched many lives and made a lasting impact on many children and their families. We wish her all the best in her future endeavours.
Dr Mahesh Prasad
Principal, Step by Step School
Noida, India
Reena Sen PhD
Former Executive Director
Indian Institute for Cerebral Palsy
I have known Vijaya Dutt since 1988 when she applied for a B.Ed in Special Education offered by Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP) in collaboration with Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Although I was not one of her teachers on the course as I was on study leave, I heard - when I rejoined work - about an exceptionally bright and conscientious student on the course: Vijaya.
Later, I had the good fortune of working with Vijaya Dutt as a colleague and getting to know her as a courageous woman, a devoted mother, a diligent special education teacher and a valuable member of the IICP team. As a researcher in a Curriculum Development project, Vijaya was extremely persevering in her inquiry and search for knowledge and information, as a teacher she was firm but kind and as a leader, unflappable in a crisis, an effective manager and an efficient team coordinator. Vijaya met the requirements of a Masters in Special Education with ease and was slated for an even higher position of responsibility in IICP. Unfortunately for us she relocated to Delhi where she continued to work in early intervention for children with special needs.
I wish Vijaya well and am confident that all those who seek her support will emerge stronger and more able.
It’s my pleasure to strongly recommend Vijaya Dutt. She is a highly skilled and experienced therapist whom I can confidently recommend for her reflective, competent and ethical practice. She displays great intuitive insight and non judgmental approach when counselling clients struggling through life’s difficult stages. She is brilliant with children with special needs because of her amazingly calm and compassionate demeanour. Whenever I have referred my patients to her, they have all said she is one of the best.
Jyotsna Tewari
Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Corporate trainer with expertise in Personality Assessment, Aptitude testing and Career counselling. She works with Applied Research International Group
Shefali Thaman
Licensed Rehabilitation Counsellor
M.A (Applied Psychology), M.Ed (School Psychology)
Former counsellor, Step By Step School
Former counsellor, Ministry of Woman and Child, Government of India
I have had the privilege to work closely with Ms. Vijaya Dutt for over 3 years in a school setup. As the Head of the special education needs department, she supervised my counselling/therapy cases. I must say that I have always aspired to be a therapist like her. Along with her counselling skills and immense knowledge of the needs of children, families and individuals with special needs, Ms. Dutt has a calming aura that is so healing in nature.
Ms. Dutt genuinely cares for people/clients, and works towards their best interest. She will make you comfortable with her warm and humane approach. I have seen her devote herself to building relationships with people /clients and patiently listening to concerns. Ms. Dutt is also skilled at utilising family therapy based approaches. And in doing so she respects that families are complex systems where each individual has unique needs irrespective of the age, status or role of the individual in the family. She will be there for you as your go to therapist just like she has been there for me as my dependable go to supervisor.
Aditi Kaul
Programme Lead – Arts Based Therapist
Psychologist, Dept. Of Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare
I first came in contact with Ms. Dutt for therapy, when I was in school, about 14 years ago. She was extremely empathetic, strength and solution oriented and within the span of a few months got me to a space where I not only overcame my struggles but also decided I wanted to be a therapist. I have now been practicing for about 8 years now and have referred many clients who have shared tremendous feedback. I have seen her in action as a colleague, a brilliant therapist, special educator extraordinaire and an extremely warm, genuine and truly honest person. Perhaps one of the only therapists I have come across to often tell a client after a first session if they really need to be in therapy or not and being true to the decorum and ethics of the profession that is extremely rare even today.
It is very difficult to sum up someone you have known for five decades in just a few words.
Vijaya has always been a great listener and sound advisor. Empathy and compassion come naturally to her. These attributes combined with her vast experience in the field of Special Education make her an effective counsellor and therapist. She is truly a woman of substance and I am blessed to have her as a friend and guide
Anjoo Kakkar
Relationship Counsellor
Divya Goyal
Director, Viyahome
Nirvaan Design Pvt. Ltd.
I have been interacting with Vijaya for the last 15 years. She has been my son Nirvaan’s (who has Down syndrome and is now 24 years old) special educator/therapist and over the years become a part of our family. Vijaya has been instrumental in enhancing Nirvaan’s progress in all areas from cognitive, social, emotional, to his overall developmental. By using various methods of playing games, puzzles, reading-writing and computers she has made his understanding better and more communicative.
In his trying adolescent years and during his emotional periods, she has been his anchor, taking on the role of his counsellor/therapist and has helped him get back on the road to wellbeing. Apart from that Vijaya has also always been there for me and lent a sound ear to my many questions and apprehensions.
For me, It was a very proud moment when Vijaya asked Nirvaan to be the chief guest and introduce her at her book launch at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi. It encapsulated all that she had achieved with him.
I tease Vijaya all the time that there is no way we are letting go of her and she is not getting rid of us in a hurry!
Nirvaan Kumar
Student
I am Nirvaan, Divya's son. It is my great honour and privilege to write about Vijaya Aunty - she is a lovely, kind and beautiful person.
I have been seeing Vijaya Aunty for many years since I was very small. She has taught me many new and interesting things. I am so happy and lucky that Vijaya Aunty is my special educator and she is my favourite teacher. She has taught me money sums, excel presentations, and board games which I enjoy a lot. She has also taught me to read story books.