Pay AUTention: Mobilizing a movement

towards a brighter future for all

It takes a special effort to understand a special mind

Pay AUTention: Mobilizing a movement

towards a brighter future for all

It takes a special effort to understand a special mind

Introduction

Did you know that about 1-1.5% children in India fall on the autism spectrum? Like with many other disorders, first aid is of utmost importance.The lack of awareness and knowledge on autism spectrum disorder can sometimes serve to amplify the symptoms which could otherwise be curbed through timely intervention.  

 

In a bid to mobilize a bigger movement towards understanding ASD, our Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) in partnership with Center for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education (CADRRE) has launched Pay AUTention. Through this initiative, we aim to empower parents, caregivers, Anganwadi workers, and teachers to be the primary therapists and provide early intervention to children with autism.


Our vision

We believe that a different mind is a gifted mind. With that thought in mind, it is our vision to ensure that every child and young adult with autism receives the care and services they require. No child should be devoid of attaining their true potential and living a comfortable life because they are different.
 

Img3

Bringing autism awareness to caregivers everywhere
 
 

Our mission

As we expand our network of practitioners, we are on a mission to reach every child with autism. We hope to create a larger support network for families and stakeholders across geographies to impart awareness about living a beautiful life with ASD. 


About ASD

Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a neuro-developmental disorder that is defined by a set of behaviors that vary from child to child. The signs of autism begin during early childhood (usually before the age of 3) and have a significant impact on the individual’s development as an adult too. Since autism is a spectral disorder, children and adults with autism can show symptoms in any degree of severity. So, two individuals with the same diagnoses may present very differently.  

 

Usually, the neuro-developmental impairments are observed in speech and communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and unusual ways of perceiving and processing information. This can hinder carrying out simple everyday activities and impede an individual’s educational and social functioning.


What we do

A lot of behavioral symptoms and core deficits of autism spectrum disorder can be improved if identified and addressed early on. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has therefore recommended ASD screening of all children at 18 and 24 months. But the lack of dedicated healthcare professionals like developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, child psychiatrists, and pediatric neurologists presents a challenge not unknown to India. This deficit leads to an inevitable delay in identifying cases, thereby compounding the effects of the disorder. 

 

Evidence-based, multidisciplinary early intervention services for children diagnosed with ASD are not easily available in all parts of India. The number of professionals available is very few compared to the number of children who need intervention. This not only impacts the children physically, mentally, and emotionally, but can also have stressful implications for the parents. Helpless and clueless on how to communicate with their child, handle their distresses, teach skills, and manage behavior, parents across the country are looking for answers. Not to forget that their child’s developmental lag keeps worsening over time. 

 

Pay Autention seeks to enable healthcare professionals, Anganwadi workers, and teachers to identify the “red flags” of ASD in children. Through online videos, webinars and workshops, we hope to keep every child on the right track for their development. The project’s outreach, Friends of Autism will further support families across tier 2 and tier 3 cities by connecting them with the portal to access resources and specialized services that they require for their child.
 

Img3

Creating a larger support network for beautiful minds



Resources

Pay Autention | Slice of Life: Role of Technology in the Lives of Professionals with Disability
 

Mr. Vineet Saraiwala

Founder of India's largest inclusive platform to generate livelihood for persons with disabilities Specialist in employment and livelihoods for differently abled Years of work experience: 9 years

Ms. Lekshmi Ramesh

Unit Head, Early identification and Remedial Center Specialist in early identification, clinical psychology Years of work experience: 28 years

Ms. Lavanya Ashok

Specialist in programme design for different intervention programmes for persons with neurodiversity Years of work experience: 25 years in inclusion and special needs

Mr. Kapilkumar Aggarwal

Specialist in Accessibility Audit Years of work experience: 30 years of work experience in fostering accessibility and social security for PWDs

Ms. Vishala Khurana and Ms. Kamakshi Khurana

Specialists in music and dance therapy Years of work experience: 16 years in sound and music therapy

Dr. Azizuddin Khan

Specialist in neuropsychology and inclusive technology for neurodisabilities Years of work experience: 17 years

Ms. Sushma Joshi

Specialist in special education for differently abled children Years of work experience: 15 years

Mr. G Vijaya Raghavan

Advisory board member to various organizations working on Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education Years of work experience : 45 years

Dr. Prathibha Karanth

Specialist in Speech Language Pathology Years of work experience: 33 years

Mr. Sameer Rawal

Mentor for various social ventures for differently abled Years of work experience: 25 years

V R Ferose

Founder of the industry's leading Autism initiative : Autism at Work Co- Author of "The Invisible Majority" and "GIFTED: Inspiring Stories of People with Disabilities" Years of experience: 28 years

Dilshad Mehershahi

Training expert for persons with special needs Years of experience: 17 years

Ausome Girl by Carla Moultrie

Learning with Disabilities in India Willing the Mind to Learn by Pratibha Karanth

Children with Communication Disorders An Introductor Text by Pratibha Karanth

Beyond the Blue Love, Life & Autism by Gopika Kapoor

Uniquely Human (A Different Way of Seeing Autism) by Barry M. Prizant

Ten Things Every Childwith Autism Wishes You Knew, by Veronica Zysk

Autism Breakthrough The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over the World by Raun K. Kauffman

An Early Start for Your Child with Autism Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn by Sally J. Rogers

Autism - A Handbook Of Diagnosis & Treatment Of ASDA Handbook of Diagnosis and Treatment of ASD by Sumita Bose

A World of Difference The Ultimate Autism Handbook for Mindful Parenting by Gita Srikanth and Swati Narayan

Ausome Girl by Carla Moultrie

Learning with Disabilities in India Willing the Mind to Learn by Pratibha Karanth

Children with Communication Disorders An Introductor Text by Pratibha Karanth

Beyond the Blue Love, Life & Autism by Gopika Kapoor

Uniquely Human (A Different Way of Seeing Autism) by Barry M. Prizant

Ten Things Every Childwith Autism Wishes You Knew, by Veronica Zysk

Autism Breakthrough The Groundbreaking Method That Has Helped Families All Over the World by Raun K. Kauffman

An Early Start for Your Child with Autism Using Everyday Activities to Help Kids Connect, Communicate, and Learn by Sally J. Rogers

Autism - A Handbook Of Diagnosis & Treatment Of ASDA Handbook of Diagnosis and Treatment of ASD by Sumita Bose

A World of Difference The Ultimate Autism Handbook for Mindful Parenting by Gita Srikanth and Swati Narayan


Event gallery

Results

Please enter at least 3 characters
No Results

Showing of items

Results

Please enter at least 3 characters
No Results

Showing of items

Results

Please enter at least 3 characters
No Results

Showing of items

Results

Please enter at least 3 characters
No Results

Showing of items

Results

Please enter at least 3 characters
No Results

Showing of items

Helpline No. 1800 209 9488