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Action for Autism
Pocket 7 & 8
Jasola Vihar
New Delhi-110025
INDIA


Tel: +91-11-65347422
Tel: +91-11-40540991/2
Fax: +91-11-40540994

actionforautism@gmail.com




Upcoming Trainings & Activities

Addressing Sensory Processing Disorder
10 September 2010

This workshop will focus on intervention strategies to deal with sensory difficulties, aimed at all those who have at least a basic working knowledge of sensory issues affecting the learning of children and adults with autism.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER
The resource person for the workshop will be Dr. Anjali Joshi. Dr. Joshi was Head of the Faculty in Occupational Therapy School and Centre, K.E.M. Hospital Mumbai for over 25 years. She is currently Director Research and Training at Ummeed Child Development Centre Mumbai. Dr Joshi has been in the forefront in India in the management of Sensory Processing Issues in Autism and has conducted over fifty workshops and training programs all over India and abroad.

DATE Friday 10 September 2010
TIMINGS 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
VENUE

The National Centre for Autism
Pocket 7 & 8
Jasola Vihar
Download directions to our centre


FEES Rs. 900/- per attendee

Limited Seats Available. Registrations will be on first cum first served basis.

Registration form
Flyer

Understanding & Teaching Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (RCI-CRE Programs in Autism)
27-30 September 2010

A training workshop geared toward professionals, conducted since 1996 but always something new.
AFA’s Annual Training Workshop is an eagerly awaited event each year. The workshop is built on an understanding of ASD and works through teaching various cognitive, communication, and daily living skills.

Workshops are illustrated with practical examples based on AFA's hands-on experience and exposure to children with Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome of varying ages and across the spectrum. The format includes lectures, demonstration classes, video clips, question and answer sessions, and discussions.
The topics include the following:

Day One

Autism: Understanding a Different Way of Being 

Day Two

Applied Behaviour Analysis: Teaching and Changing Behaviours 

Day Three

Strategies for Developing Communication

Day Four

Including Children with Autism in Mainstream Classroom

Who should Attend
Participation is open to anyone who works with children with developmental disabilities on a day-to-day basis including teachers of both children with and without special needs. CRE accreditation has been received from Rehabilitation Council of India.


How to Register
Registration forms may be collected from AFA office or downloaded from the AFA website below. A complete form must be sent along with registration charges. Payments may be made in cash or by demand draft drawn in favour of ‘Action for Autism’ payable at New Delhi. Cheques or credit cards will NOT be accepted. Incomplete forms or registration forms not accompanied with the registration fees will not be processed. 

Professional registration form
Parent registration form
Childcare registration form

Early Bird Workshop Registration: On or before Friday 17 September 2010
On the Spot Registration: Subject to availability
Last date for Childcare Registration: Friday 3 September 2010


AFA Mother Child Child Program
Three times a year, sessions starting each January, July and October.
A group of approximately 10 to 15 parents train together (with their children) throughout the duration of the programme incorporating elements of different interaction-based interventions. While the programme has typically consisted mostly of mothers, the programme is also available to interested fathers, or any other family members who may be interacting with the child on a regular basis. We have several fathers who participate in each training and we also welcome grandparents.

The programme seeks to maximize the benefits of the time that a parent spends with her child, teaching focused one on one intervention tailored individually to each child and taking into account the child's strengths, emerging skills and weakest skill areas. One-on-one intervention, in a nurturing positive environment, helps a child with autism to overcome much of the severity of the disorder.

The programme also prepares children to join school set ups, teaching them to learn in a group. Parents work with their children under the guidance of an experienced, trained therapist. They receive extensive feedback and join a discussion group where they can compare perspectives and forge links with parents experiencing similar difficulties.

A primary focus of the programme is to help the parent to understand his or her child, understand autism and the whys of autism, thus empowering her interact appropriately with the child, understand how to teach new skills and address behaviours.The programme runs from 9 am to 12 pm everyday from Monday to Friday. For further information on registration, please contact Indrani Basu at 011 – 40540991 / 40540092 / 65347422 OR send us an email, with Mother Child Program in the subject line at indrani71@gmail.com and copy to actionforautism@gmail.com

Knowing & Teaching my Child with Autism
19-21 November 2010
A three day workshop for parents that will build on an understanding of the child with ASD and work through teaching communication, play, social, daily living skills, and behaviour modification.

Teaching Positions at Action For Autism
Action For Autism invites energetic and enthusiastic individuals who are creative, logical, intelligent, and willing to work hard, to apply for various teaching positions at Open Door School. The positions offer exciting opportunities to therapists and teachers to work with individuals with autism and communication differences, in what is one of the most challenging and exciting areas of special needs education.

Action For Autism is a premier organisation that has pioneered teaching strategies based on extensive practical experience and internationally validated teaching principles, adapted to the Indian situation. We offer an enriching work experience in a positive environment, where work days are exciting and something to look forward to on a daily basis; with many opportunities for continuing training.

Applications invited from individuals who have any or more of the following qualifications:

  • with experience of teaching mainstream classrooms, and/or
  • who have done their DSE(ASD) / BEd / DSE(MR), and/or
  • who are graduates in Psychology, Education, Child Development, and/or
  • anyone interested in working with individuals with autism

Interested and suitable candidates may send their complete CV addressed to:

'Teaching Positions At AFA'
Reeta Sabharwal
Director – HR
The National Centre for Autism
Sector 7&8 Jasola Vihar
New Delhi 110025

Other News

 

New resources available on autism in Kannada:

AUTISM IRUVA NIMMA MAGUVIGE HEGE SAHAYA MADABAHUDU?
Original English Title: AUTISM – HOW TO HELP YOUR YOUNG CHILD

By Leicestershire  Country Council and Fosse Health Trust
Rendered into Kannada by Dr. C.R. Chandrashekar,
Professor of Psychiatry and Deputy Medical Superintendent
NIMHANS, Bangalore – 560 029.

Price: Rs. 80

‘AUTISM’ MAKKALA LALANE – PALANE (Kannada)
Original English Title: WHY DOES CHRIS DO THAT?

By Dr. Tony Attwood
Rendered into Kannada by Dr. C.R Chandrashekar,
Professor of Psychiatry and Deputy Medical Superintendent
NIMHANS, Bangalore – 560 029.

Price: Rs. 45

Both books published in 2009
by NAVAKARNATAKA PUBLISHERS PVT. LTD
Embassy Center, Crescent road, Bangalore 560001
Phone 080-22293580, 30578022

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steel ballAFA Summer camp concludes

In 2010, AFA again offered a summer camp at our National Centre, with music, arts and crafts, pool play, occupational therapy, and more. Special Education and Occupational Therapy sessions were available separately from 12:30 onwards. With summer over, it's time for school!

steel ballBollywood dance night in aid of children with autism in India

An evening of Bollywood dancing was hosted at the University of Hertfordshire (UK) in aid of children with autism in India. Psychology researcher Shivani Sharma invited people to the charity workshop on Wednesday, December 16. The proceeds will go to Action for Autism. Thank you, Shivani! Read more here

Gautam Gambhir visits AFA

Gautam Gambhir is a left-handed opening batsman in the Indian cricket team known for his blazing batting style and a uniquely balanced yet aggressive approach to the game. He has been a member of the Indian national cricket team since 2004. On 7th September, Gautam visited AFA to celebrate the donation of a new bus by the Special Child Trust. Read more here
See
press coverage

AFA Annual Training has concluded

This year's workshop was held 16-19 September and had over 120 participants. The schedule included a focus on understanding the core features of autism, strategies for developing communication, using ABA for teaching and changing behaviours, and parallel sessions on early intervention and inclusive education. We enjoyed meeting parents and professionals from throughout India and appreciate everyone's participation.

World Autism Awareness Day 2009

In 2008, the United Nations General Assembly, by unanimous consent, passed the resolution of the Third Committee designating April 2nd as World Autism Awareness Day in perpetuity.

In 2009, a number of organizations around India organized activities and events to recognize this day.

Third South Asian Regional Conference on 'Autism: Support Through Understanding'
AFA was proud to participate in this meeting, held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in January 2009
Read an article from The Daily Star

AFA receives grant from U.S. advocacy organization Autism Speaks

A large scale, two phase study to estimate prevalence, and raise awareness, about Autism Spectrum Disorders in India

Despite being the second most populous country in the world, there is a serious dearth of epidemiological research on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in India. While estimates suggest that India could have more than 2 million people with ASD, this has never been directly tested. The current project represents a large-scale attempt to estimate the prevalence of ASD in India, by focusing on three major cities of India. In Year 1, the group proposes to create a central secure online database with phenotypic details and clinical notes of patients between 4-7 years of age, from pediatric outpatient departments of multiple government/charitable and private hospitals in each city. The members of the online database would then be contacted to take part in a screening study using translated versions of the Social Communications Questionnaire (SCQ) and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) in Hindi, Bengali, or Marathi depending on the local language of the city. Those children who meet the cut-off scores for ASD will then be approached in years 2 and 3 for in-person testing using translated versions of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and measurement of further socio-cultural variables. These case ascertainment methodology will be used to conduct a pilot epidemiology study that will result in a multi-city prevalence estimate of ASD in India. In parallel, a structured program to raise autism awareness in the country will be carried out, which will include: a) organizing yearly workshops for medical professionals, teachers, and parents of children with ASD, b) making a documentary film, c) translating existing awareness material into regional languages, and d) assessing awareness about ASD in the general population, both at the beginning and at the end of our program. As the first major epidemiological study of autism coupled with a structured autism awareness drive in three major cities of India, as well as being driven by the leading autism advocacy organization in India, Action for Autism, this project has the potential to hugely improve the state of autism research and awareness in India.

World Autism Awareness Day 2008
Take a look back at some of the events from last year's World Autism Awareness Day:

Press Coverage and Reports on WAAD from throughout India
Events in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
WAAD message from U.N. Secretary General
WAAD message from the President of India

AFA Noted as 'Gap Year' Option for Students in UK
The colour has drained from Jennifer's face. In fact, she looks positively terrified. She's 18, and this is the first time she's been away from home without her parents. She and two other volunteers with their A-levels close behind them, Carina and Georgie, arrived in Delhi two days ago ...Read the full story in the Independent here...

'Artistic Eminence in the Service of a Cause'
NEW DELHI: It is not just another art show but one for a noble cause. Titled "Synergy in Call of Destiny", a five-day group show of paintings, drawings and sculptures by 39 eminent artists opens in Open Palm Court Area of India Habitat Centre here on Tuesday. Read the full story in The Hindu here...

Oct. 5: Tamil actor Prithviraj's Son with Autism Questioned at Airport
In an unfortuante example of the tremedous lack of awareness of autism in India, an 11 year old with autism was denied access at a Bangalore airport due to the Aircraft Rule of 1937 law stating the following:
‘No person shall knowingly carry or permit to be carried, or connive at the carriage of, a person suffering from any mental disorder or epilepsy in any aircraft.’

Action for Autism responds to the Government of India

Something good can come of even the most difficult situations. AFA hopes that this incident can serve as an impetus for inclusion of autism in the Persons with Disabilities Act. We encourage parents, professionals, and all concerned individuals to express their support for this action.

Read our response to the Minister of Social Justice and Environment
Read about general legal issues of autism in India
Read accounts of the incident from Indian media sources:
The Hindu
Hindustan Times

Read about our National Autism Centre and dedication ceremony Dedication

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Print Version of Autism Network Available to Members
AFA takes great pleasure in sharing information with parents, special educators, and other carers of individuals with autism. We have been generous about mailing our periodical Autism Network out to even those who are not members of Action For Autism. However, this comes at a financial cost. We regretfully announce that starting with the issue of April 2007, we will be able to mail Autism Network out only to our members. We know that many of our readers value the information they receive in the periodical. We therefore request all of you to support us in continuing to send you the periodical by taking a membership of Action For Autism. We encourage parents to preferably take a Life Membership and others to take a Full Membership of the organisation. Individuals may also take an Associate Membership in order to receive Autism Network. With your membership you not only help defray the costs of sharing information, you also contribute towards the empowerment of the autism community. Membership information available here. Autism Network will continue to be available on our website, at our journal link.

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