FOUNDER

Dr. Karthik Rajaram is the founder and chairman of Steps Groups Rehabilitation Center from april 2010 to date. He has 12+ years experience in occupational therapy and rehabilitation.

Dr. Karthik has a Ph.D. in Neuro-Psychology Rehabilitation in USC-USA. He has a M.Sc. in Geriatric care at CMJ- Sikkim. He also holds a MS in Neuro-Psychology in USC-USA. He completed a PG Dip. in Guidance and Counseling at Madurai Kamaraj University. He has a Bachelors in Occupational Therapy from Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University

His areas of specialization are: Occupational Therapy, Geriatric Medicine, Neuropsychology, Neuro- Rehabilitation Therapy, Guidance and Counseling, Family Therapy. He is an Expert in treating Autism, Developmental Delays, Sensory Processing Disorder, Developmental Coordination Disorder, Head Injury, Learning Disability, Spinal Cord Injury, Cerebral Palsy, Metabolic and Genetic Disorders.His expertise has even extended in Marital Problems, Family Therapy, Treating Gaming and Gadgets de-addiction. He has Multicultural, multidisciplinary exposure in many countries in the field of rehabilitation and Child Psychiatry.

He is a specialist in identifying innate intelligence of a person and using those as a treatment modality. He also has Hands-on experience in early intervention, starting from prenatal screening to habilitation of children. He is a Unique consultant Occupational Therapist for adolescents and adults with special needs.

CEO & MANAGING DIRECTOR

Thanusha Suthas is a compassionate and visionary leader who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children with special needs. As the Managing Director of Ceylon Steps, Thanusha has demonstrated unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment for students with a wide range of disabilities.

Thanusha holds a Diploma in Special Education and HNDnin Pharmacy. Her educational background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in the field of special education. Before taking on her role as Managing Director, Thanusha gained invaluable experience growing her own child with Cerebral palsy with the help of the Indian steps group and Dr. Karthik. This hands-on experience has given her a profound insight into the daily needs of both students and educators.

As the Managing Director of Ceylon Steps, Thanusha has played a pivotal role in shaping the school's mission and strategic direction. Under her leadership, the school has become a model institution for special education, setting new standards for inclusivity, innovation, and student success. The school offers a comprehensive range of programs and support services, tailored to the unique needs of each student, fostering a sense of belonging and individual growth.

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST| ADMINISTRATOR

She completed BA(hons) in psychology from University of Jaffna.

She has participated in undergraduate research symposium arts (URSA) from University of Jaffna.

She has completed in yoga courses and publications her yoga program in YouTube .

She has certified with career development work shop from university of jaffna.

She has participated in suicide prevention awareness short film for northern province schools students.

She has participated ministry of youth affairs and skills developmental youth service council national sports festival in srilanka and participated field championships program in university of jaffna.

She has worked as a counselor as well as nursing counselling course coordinator in jaffna teaching hospital .

ASSISTANT MANAGER| SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST

Thaanya Pushparaj is a highly skilled psychologist with a BSc. (Hons) in Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University. She brings a diverse range of experiences and expertise to her profession. Thaanya has completed the Red Cross First Aid course, showcasing her commitment to ensuring the well-being of individuals under her care. Her journey in the field of psychology includes valuable stints at Lyceum International School, where she served as a Special Needs Teacher and Shadow Teacher in the Special Education Department, working closely with children grappling with various developmental disorders.

Thaanya's dedication to understanding and addressing the needs of neurodivergent individuals is further demonstrated by her internship at Ayati, where she contributed to research on autistic and dyslexic children. Her nurturing instincts and passion for child development are evident in her roles at Lyceum Daycare and Rainbow Daycare in India, where she served as a caretaker for children aged 8 months to 10 years.

Notably, Thaanya has augmented her academic foundation with a certified course in Emotional Intelligence and Relationship Management at IMH, showcasing her commitment to holistic well-being. Under the mentorship of Dr. Hemanishantha and Dr. Usha, she honed her counseling skills and gained proficiency in art, music, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Thaanya's hands-on experience extends to providing psychotherapy and CBT for adults with various mental disorders at the National Institute of Mental Health, showcasing her versatility and dedication to mental health care. Thaanya Pushparaj is a compassionate and well-rounded professional who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the realm of psychology.

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST

Priscilla works at ceylonsteps, as a special needs therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors (BSc Hons) in Psychology from Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales, UK. Her academic journey has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of human behavior, cognitive processes, and emotional well-being.

During her academic pursuit, Priscilla honed her practical skills through internships, and gaining experience in the field. Notably, she served as a psychotherapy and psychological counselor at the Brilliant Academy in Kandy, where she worked with both adults and children facing challenges associated with personality disorders and learning disabilities. She has conducted a thesis on 'Challenges faced by a single parent raising children in terms of their education and physical and mental development'. This experience allowed her to develop a compassionate and empathetic approach to addressing the diverse needs of her clients.

Priscilla's professional journey extended beyond clinical settings, showcasing her versatility in the field of psychology. As a Senior Executive Operations of Medical Billing at Legacy Healthcare. This experience broadened her understanding of the healthcare industry and enriched her skill set with a managerial perspective.

Recognizing the importance of education in fostering mental health awareness, Priscilla embarked on a self-employed venture as a tutor, offering personalized guidance to individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of psychology.

Priscilla's multi-faceted career reflects her commitment to the holistic development of individuals and communities. Her unique blend of academic expertise, practical experience, and a diverse professional background positions her as a dynamic and compassionate psychologist dedicated to enhancing the psychological well-being of those she serves.

As a Special Needs Therapist at CeylonSteps, Priscilla continues to leverage her knowledge and expertise to create a positive impact on the lives of those with special needs. Her holistic approach, coupled with a passion for fostering growth and development, makes her an invaluable member of the CeylonSteps team.

PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER - JAFFNA

She has Master of Social work from Bharathiar University,India with first class with distinction. She has bachelors in computer science from Avinashilingam deemed university,India. During her Master degree she completed field work practice from Shivesh autism centre, Shanti ashram,Vazhikatti Mental Health Centre and Research Institute,SitaLaxmi hospital.

During her Master degree she completed an internship at Natchiyar Medical centre,Coimbatore. She has worked as a psychiatric Social worker in Natchiyar medical centre and Sri Bala Medical centre and hospital in India. And also She worked as a psychiatric social worker in teaching hospital, jaffna .

She has experienced in providing counselling to adults and deaddiction care and motivational ounselling to the patients with alcohol and drug dependence.

She participated in two days National seminar on challenges in contemporary social work practice by Sree Narayan Guru colllege , Coimbatore.

She also participated in level 1 training programme “ prevention of substance abuse,road traffic accidents and suicide attempts “by empowering the professionals working with children northern province,2023.

Currently she is following diploma in counselling from National institute of social development

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST - JAFFNA

Thanushyakulenthiranworksat'Ceylonsteps', as special needs. teacher.She is a graduate from Jaffna University of Sri Lanka, with a BA (Hons) in psychology.

SheholdsaDiplomainCounsellingattheNationalInstituteforSocialDevelopment.

DuringherBachelor'sdegree,shecompletedtheLeadershiptrainingprogrammeLevel1,2,3attheJaffnaUniversity.ShehasworkedasaCounsellorattheChavakachcheriGeneralHospital"mentalhealthunit&kuruntham".

AlsoshehasworkedasafieldofficerattheSHANTHIHAM AssociationforHealthandCounsellingCentre.

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST, PSYCHOLOGIST

Dedunu Perera works at Ceylon Steps as a special needs therapist. She holds a First-Class BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom. She is a prospective candidate for the MSc in Clinical Psychology Australia. She has also completed a certificate course in drug abuse and prevention at the National Dangerous Drug Control Board (NDDCB), Sri Lanka.

She has worked as a social media executive at Alchemy Solutions, where she has conducted several brainstorming workshops and is experienced in using her psychology knowledge for employee branding and providing digital solutions.

Dedunu has hands-on experience in providing psychotherapy and counseling for adults as well as for children with a range of mental health difficulties and learning disabilities at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Mulleriyawa. She also has experience providing supervised occupational therapy sessions at the forensic unit at the NIMH as well.

During her Bachelor's degree, she completed an internship at Without Borders Sri Lanka, where she took part in lesson planning that is impactful, accessible, and playful for every learner, irrespective of where they come from.

Dedunu is a freelance transcriptionist and a research assistant. She has been working as a research assistant for a study titled "Experiences of Medical Students on

the impact of COVID-19 on their education," as well as a study titled "Validating a locally developed screening tool to identify disabilities in 2- to 5-year-old children by preschool teachers," conducted by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya.

She has also participated in the International Conference on Advancements in Sciences and Humanities organized by SLIIT and had the opportunity to converse with renowned individuals in the field of psychology. She has conducted a thesis on "The Role of Music in Autism Intervention: A Qualitative Study Among Caregivers and Teachers."

She is a former youth member of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society as well as a current member of the One Stage for All Association, Sri Lanka.

Physiotherapist (SLMC Reg.No. 1340)

Nimasha is currently working in Ceylon Steps as a physiotherapist. She is graduated from Rajive Gandhi University of Health Science in Karnataka,India in Bachelor of Physiotherapy & registered Physiotherapist in Sri Lanka Medical Council.

She has certified with Advanced Integrated Manual Therapy Techniques & clinical taping techniques from Federation of Indian Manual Therapists (FIMT), India. As well as certified for Counseling & Psychotherapy from Institute of Mental Health, Sri Lanka.

She has experienced clinically in Physiotherapy for General surgery & General medicine wards including ICU, Burns ward & COVID ward, Neurology & Neurosurgery wards and OBG wards & Pediatric ward in Government Wenlock Hospital Mangalore, India.

She has participated in International & National Conferences for Physiotherapists which organized by Indian Physiotherapy Association. And certified with long COVID rehabilitation certification from Indian Physiotherapy Association in 2021. Also participated in workshops of Pilates for back care conducted by Karnataka Physiotherapy Association and Women’s Health workshop conducted by Dr. M V Shetty College of physiotherapy associated with U T Fareed foundation.

Currently she’s reading Clinical Acupuncture in Open International University for Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka.

SPECIAL NEEDS THERAPIST - JAFFNA

Thiviya Sakthivadivel work at ‘Ceylon Steps’ as a special needs teacher. She is a graduate

from university of Jaffna, Srilanka, with a second class in BA(Hons) in psychology.

She holds a Diploma in Counseling at the National Institute for Social Development.

She has worked as a Counsellor at the Chavakachcheri General Hospital “mental health

unit & kuruntham”.