Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency, Kolkata: India Autism Center (IAC), a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and related developmental conditions, commemorated World Autism Awareness Month through “Autism in Practice” in association with the Society of Pediatric Neurology Bengal, thoughtfully curated series of parent-focused knowledge sessions. Aligned with its vision of building Samaavesh, India’s largest lifelong residential care ecosystem for neurodiverse individuals, the initiative reflected IAC’s commitment to creating an inclusive, informed, and supportive community ecosystem. The sessions brought together leading multidisciplinary specialists as panellists, including Dr. Sudip Saha, Dr. Arijit Chattopadhyay, Dr. Jashodhara Chaudhuri, Dr. Mousumi Mukherjee, Dr. Abir Mukherjee, Dr. Nandita Chattopadhyay, Dr. Kaushambi Basu, Dr. Pradip Paria, Dr. MD Sahidul Arefin, and Dr. Siddhartha Nandi. The programme commenced with a keynote address by Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and CEO, India Autism Center, setting the tone for meaningful dialogue and awareness. This was followed by a focused session on Occupational Therapy led by Dr. Manish Samnani, Clinical Director at SOCH and President of Haryana Chapter of AIOTA, who shared actionable strategies aimed at enhancing functional independence among individuals on the autism spectrum.
The event featured multiple expert-led sessions, of which “Medicines and Beyond” moderated by Dr. Rudrajit Sinha brought together, multispecialty clinicians, therapists, and domain experts. The discussion explored integrated approaches to autism care, highlighting the importance of balancing medical, behavioural, and therapeutic interventions, while underscoring the need for collaborative, multidisciplinary care models tailored to individual needs. It also extended beyond autism care to touch upon evolving intervention methods and the growing landscape of paediatric neurology, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis, specialised care, and continuous advancements in treatment approaches.
The latter half of the event featured other sessions on nutrition in children on the spectrum led by Prof. Dr. Kalpana Dutta, focusing on dietary considerations, feeding challenges, and the role of nutrition in overall development of children on the spectrum. A fireside chat with parent advocates, Ms. Nilanjana Rambothu and Ms. Sumitra Paul Bakshi highlighted lived experiences and milestones in one's parenting journey, followed by a session by Ms. Ranjana Chakraborty on behavioural modification strategies for Pre-teens and Teens, on the spectrum, addressing emotional regulation, social skills, and practical interventions, and concluding with closing remarks by Dr. Jashodhara Chaudhuri and Sakhi Singhi.
Speaking on the event, Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and CEO, India Autism Center, shared,
“Autism in Practice’ reflects our commitment to empowering families with the right knowledge, tools, and insights to make informed decisions. At IAC, we believe that awareness must go together with practical guidance, and this initiative is a step towards bridging that gap for parents navigating complex care journeys. Equally important is our focus on addressing the long-term needs of autistic individuals beyond early intervention particularly around residential care. Through our upcoming residential ecosystem, Samaavesh we aim to create a safe, structured, and inclusive environment that supports dignity, independence, and lifelong care, ensuring that individuals on the spectrum continue to thrive well into adulthood.”