Shrabani Datta, whose 20-year-old son, Shreejit, is autistic, had no idea where to get help from for the past 10 years. Travelling all the way from Silvassa, she came to Mumbai with her husband and son to attend a training workshop for parents of autistic kids on
October 30.
“Shreejit was diagnosed at the age of 10, and I did not know how to deal with it,” said Shrabani. After attending the workshop she realised that a lot can be done, including therapy, special schools and also by learning more about understanding autistic children, dealing with their changing behaviour, communication and different teaching strategies.
Like Shrabani, many parents through this seven-hour workshop got a chance to find answers to their questions and also got in touch with the right people for guidance.
The workshop which was organised by the Forum for Autism, a Mumbai-based NGO, along with Zee television, saw more than 150 parents from all over the country. The workshop was conducted by Merry Barua, director, Action for Autism, a Delhi-based NGO.
“I have a 29-year-old son who is autistic. After he was diagnosed, I started reading up about autism. Not many people knew about the disability. I then started writing on autism, began the support group Action for Autism, and also opened a school called Open Door,” Barua said.
Mumbai alone has over 80,000 autistic cases. Chitra Iyer, president, Forum for Autism, feels that parents need support and such workshops help them clear their doubts.Forum for Autism helpline: 32949595
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