Overview of AFA Services and Activities

Action for Autism offers a full range of clinical services and intervention programs, and has active divisions for trainings, publications, research, and advocacy. We encourage you to read about our activities below and become a part of our work.

Assessments

(a) Diagnostic Assessments
Screening and diagnostic assessments are made following detailed observations of and interactions with the child, as well as comprehensive interviews with family members. The specific protocol selected will depend on the individual child and his or her background. We rely on internationally standardised diagnostic criteria (DSM 4 TR) and a variety of standardised screening / diagnostic instruments. Since our staff are trained and reliable in administration of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R), these tools may be used in the process. We also have and utilise various other screening tools, including the CARS, SCQ, SRS, and different developmental assessments. Determining related disorders and differentiating ASD from other disorders is part of the diagnostic assessment. Following the assessment, parents are provided with feedback about the process used to reach a diagnostic decision and information on autism and services necessary to start intervention. We find it useful for parents to bring or send ahead of time any past diagnostic evaluations, where applicable. We will review these and incorporate the information into our report.

(b) Functional Assessments
Autism is marked by the development of an uneven profile of skills. Functional assessments provide an insight into the current level of performance of the child in various skill areas such as motor, speech, communication, imitation, cognition and activities of daily living. The assessment is made over multiple sessions through a series of direct work sessions with the child, observation and discussion with the family. An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is prepared on the basis of functional assessments.

(c) Occupational and Sensory Assessment
A detailed assessment is made based on a sensory profile questionnaire which addresses all the sensory systems in depth. A comprehensive evaluation of the child is done using observation and feedback from parents. The assessment provides a base for all subsequent interventions for the child.

Intervention Programmes

AFA does not view autism or disability as a tragic condition, but rather as a different way of being. AFA adheres to a philosophy of loving and accepting without judgments; acceptance of the child’s personhood and the use of a highly individualized, structured program with each child. Through its various intervention programmes, AFA offers an eclectic mix of behaviour based methods and structured teaching. Elements of TEACCH, Applied behaviour Analysis (ABA), Verbal Behaviour Analysis (VBA), various forms of Assisted and Augmentative Communication (AAC) including Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS) are a part of the methods used.

(a) Parent-Child Early Intervention Programme
The programme runs over a ten to twelve week period and starts each January, July and October. A group of approximately 15 parents (mothers, fathers or grandparents) train together daily along with their children, under the guidance of experienced, trained therapists. The programme seeks to maximize the benefits of the time that a parent spends with his/her child, teaching focused one-on-one intervention tailored individually to each child and taking into account the child’s strengths, emerging skills and weaknesses. The programme also prepares children to join school setups and learn in a group through the activities done in group teaching sessions. More importantly the programme gives parents the tool to understand their child, the child’s autism. Children as young as 18 months flagged for autism during their screening are a part of this programme.

See also: Annual Training Workshop
See also: Mother-Child Programme Research Project

(b) The Open Door Day School
The laboratory school, begun in March 1994 has gained recognition as a model school for children with autism in India, and serves a unique dual purpose. As with any quality institution, the pupils and their families receive direct benefit and an improved quality of life. Just as important, the school is used to test, modify, and adapt training techniques gathered from around the world to the Indian context. In a controlled setting, new techniques are tested before being referred as an effective technique to parents and professionals in other parts of India.

Currently, the Day School has seven sections in which around 60 children aged 3 – 18 are placed depending on their abilities, needs, and chronological age. In the early years the emphasis is on developing communication, as well as building basic interaction skills, pre-reading and writing skills and concept building. Concepts are taught in one-on-one sessions, while group activities are used to develop social skills. Alongside, the child’s abilities to work independently and interpret instructions in a general environment are developed and strengthened. Gradually, the children learn independent work behaviours that enable them to learn vocational skills. Children, who are ready, move on to mainstream classrooms. The school combines group activities and one-on-one teaching, as well as music therapy, computer and sensory integration.

More Information about Open Door
Frequently Asked Questions about Open Door

(c) Adhaar Vocational Centre
Adhaar provides a specialized and supportive environment for people with autism with special educational needs who are aged 18 onwards to learn skills that enable them to work in a vocational setting. The focus is on developing and strengthening functional communication, interpersonal skills, and also building awareness of current affairs, independent living skills such as shopping and cooking, training in vocational areas such as weaving, block printing and bag making and developing leisure skills.

(d) On the Job Training Programme for Work Behaviours
Young adults with autism who are otherwise independent and function well still often have difficulties in understanding and coping with the dynamics of a work environment and may require additional assistance in order to find as well as keep a job. To facilitate t learning the skills needed in open work environments, AFA provides an opportunity to train on the job with us. Depending on the functional skills of the young adult, he /she is assigned a job profile. AFA simulates work settings to provide training in work behaviours. The programme includes aspects such as coping with unpredictable changes and developing interpersonal skills with colleagues.

(e) Educational Intervention Programme
A special educator works one-on-one with the child one or more times a week as determined by the parents. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to observe the sessions which are followed by a discussion with the attending parent / family member. The discussion covers the session, the child’s general progress and other queries so that the work can be continued at home. This programme is attended by children in mainstream schools needing support, children preparing for mainstream schooling, children in special needs setup requiring additional support, children who are being home schooled, and children who are not receiving any other special education inputs.

(f) The Bubble Class: Social Skills Training Program
Children attending mainstream schools often find it difficult to follow group instructions, comply with daily routines of classrooms like taking out notebooks, copy from the blackboard, handle transitions, wait for their turn in classroom activities, ask for help, and even respond to questions they may know the answers to. To address these and other such difficulties commonly faced by children with autism in mainstream schools, the “Bubble Class” programme replicates classroom situations through fun activities and builds upon social skills necessary to interact with peers and adults. The children work in small groups on a weekly basis with special educators and prepare to work more effectively within their daily school activities.

(g) Handwriting Programme
Difficulties in sensory processing, sensory awareness and/or perceptual skills and lack of motivation are common reasons that often lead to difficulties in writing s among other things. The premise for the handwriting program is combining sensory activities with direct instructions. Groups of 4 - 5 children along with their parents participate in activities related to developing prewriting & writing skills under the guidance of a special educator and an occupational therapist.

(h) Inclusive Hobby Classes
The mandate of AFA is to create an inclusive environment where people with autism can live and work as fully participating members of their community. To move to this vision it is important that those who are different from the norm are enabled to participate in society fully. Proximity and exposure leads to awareness and understanding and eventually acceptance. A variety of strategies have been used to bring inclusion beyond the classroom and enhance this kind of inclusive learning: through sports, through social events, and so on. AFA has introduced a series of interventions for children with autism to build upon leisure time skills in close proximity of children developing typically.

One such initiative involves working with clay under an experienced potter. Pottery includes activities that address tactile and motor issues in addition to creativity. Clay work requires and strengthens hands functions such as grasp, pinch, hold, release, and rolling of palm which are also required in daily living activities. Children attend weekly classes in small groups under the guidance of a trained special educator along with the potter in an inclusive setup.

(i) The Centre-based Programme for Home Management
Programmes for Home Management are schedules and plans jointly designed by the parent and an AFA therapist. Tailored to individual needs, the therapists provide structure for daily routines and activities that the family carries out with the child at home. The family returns for an update at predetermined intervals of a fortnight or more. The programme also gives families an opportunity to discuss and arrive at solutions to vexing issues of behaviours and learning of daily living skills.

(j) Extended Home Programme for Out Station Families
Outstation families often visit AFA and receive an intensive programme of observation, counselling, work sessions with the child, feedback and discussion with special educators, clinical psychologists, and sensory integration therapists. Depending on their duration of stay and where families so require, assessments and curriculum planning may also be carried out. Because the characteristics and behaviors of people with autism vary so widely, the individualized nature of these programs is particularly crucial, and parents are encouraged to stay in touch with AFA to make modifications and implement additional skills. Families from throughout India and abroad have received this service.

(k) Occupational and Sensory Intervention
The programme is available for all children with autism where sensory issues interfere with learning and daily functioning. Areas of intervention include providing an individualized sensory diet, activities to develop motor skills and life skills and providing training and home based programmes for parents. Sessions are conducted by a trained Occupational Therapist.

Family Support Services

(a) Family Counselling
Family counselling soon after receiving a diagnosis and during critical phases such as approaching adolescence can greatly broaden the parents' options of how to most benefit their child, and can improve their ability to make positive, long term decisions by providing an opportunity to sort out factual information from misinformation. Counselling is provided to family members to deal with issues related to the pressures and stress of parenting a child with autism, parenting the sibling of a child with autism, living in a nuclear or joint family, second child issues, or any other concerns families may have. Appropriate coping strategies are discussed and developed with inputs from psychologists and medical professionals. Parents also receive referrals to schools and services elsewhere.

(b) Afternoon Respite Care
AFA organises a daily after-school afternoon respite care for families where both parents are working or have an emergency to deal with. Students enrolled in the programme are engaged in a series of activities designed to build upon daily living skills, creativity and group interactions.

(c) Weekend Respite Care
For parents who have to work on Saturdays, families in crisis or to simply wanting a break - to catch a movie or complete their shopping, AFA offers weekend respite where children and young adults with autism spend a day with their buddies and away from their parents. The programme provides training in daily living skills through activities like preparing lunch, and cleaning up while doing fun things such as going out for short outings, lunch to a restaurant. Preparations are underway to organise an overnight respite.

Trainings

Workshops & Lectures
For over a decade, AFA has conducted practical and interactive training workshops for parents and professionals on various aspects of autism. AFA also coordinates with professionals from throughout the world to present on different topics. Just a few of these topics include: RDI, behavior modification, TEACCH, developing Individualized Education Plans, verbal behavior, AAC strategies, neurologic behavior aspects of the PDDs, and sexual concerns among individuals with autism. Members of AFA regularly present training workshops in cities throughout India, and in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Dubai, and the United Arab Emirates. AFA works in close partnership with organisations in different regions in country. AFA has also helped several individuals and organisations set up clinical services to cater to families and children with autism in their region.

General Information about the AFA Training Workshops
Link to Past Workshops and Lectures affiliated with AFA

Diploma in Special Education (Autistic Spectrum Disorder)
Children with autism benefit most from teachers with a comprehensive understanding of autism and autism-specific techniques. AFA offers a two-year course recognised by the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) to train special educators in autism. Through extensive exposure in practical hands-on training and lectures, trainees learn to be comfortable with the principles and practices of working with persons with autism. Along with knowledge about autism and special education, the trainees gain knowledge of behaviour modification, social development, language development, and family counseling. Successful candidates receive placements in leadings schools and special needs organizations, and some have been absorbed within AFA.

List of past DSE-ASD graduates and their current placement (12/09)

 

Ahaan: AFA Publication Division

The Autism Network, AFA Journal
While journals about autism are available from the U.S., U.K., Australia and other developed countries, these publications are often not relevant to families in India, where services, education, health and legal issues are vastly different. In publication since 1994, the Autism Network is an invaluable source of information for those who deal with autism in India by bridging the gap between what occurs elsewhere in the world with here in India. The focus is on dealing with autism in our own cultural context while simultaneously including information from around the globe. The journal aims to bring parents and professionals of different regions and backgrounds together to share their own experiences and knowledge.

See the Autism Network Index
Subscription and Submission Information

Training Manuals
A few manuals and training materials for parents and professionals have been published and others are currently being written. Reprints of the same are available in English and other Indian languages.

Resource Library and Information Service

At present, there is an extreme dearth of information available about autism in India. Because of the prohibitive cost of autism books, the majority of families are not able to obtain all the information they would like. AFA obtains the most current and relevant Indian and international books and journals and makes them available to those interested. The AFA library currently hosts over a hundred titles of autism-related books and academic journals. In addition, the library maintains files on autism-related topics, conference proceedings and newsletters from abroad, historical information, and popular media articles on autism. The library also has a facility for parents and professionals to watch educational videos on various aspects of autism. For those outside of Delhi, we field requests for photocopies of certain topics and compile packets as per individual needs.

Partial list of available titles from the AFA Resource Centre

Research

AFA has a longstanding commitment to research in the field of autism. We strongly believe that research is the key to understand both the phenomenology and treatment of people with autism and build upon the existing services. With its vast network of families throughout South Asia and connections to families throughout the world, AFA has been pleased to participate in many collaborative research projects, as well as provide support to visiting scholars from India and abroad. AFA is also a training ground for budding professionals. Various students of social work, psychology, and special education from leading universities in India and other parts of the world have interred at AFA. AFA has an Institutional Review Board that reviews all proposed research collaborations to ensure that projects meet important standards for well-being of the participants, and that the projects are based on a sound theoretical background.

See our Research page

AILAAN : AFA Department of Advocacy

Awareness Raising
Increasing awareness of a lesser-known disorder such as autism is necessary for doctors to make accurate diagnosis and for society to begin to integrate autistic individuals into the mainstream. AFA has undertaken various projects to promote awareness and understanding about autism among parents and professionals as well as the general public. From 1998 to 2001, AFA mailed brief information sheets on autism to pediatricians, psychologists and psychiatrists in order to sensitise them to the symptoms of autism. A follow up study is currently in the process. AFA continues to raise awareness among the general public through popular media articles, and a variety of fun events such as walks, music concerts, dance performances, dinners, art show and carnivals. AFA also has available an awareness film for autism from South Asia, entitled 'Autism: An Indian Perspective.'

Media issues
Archives of press coverage of autism in India
Details about the Professional Awareness Campaign/Research Project
Order a copy of the film, 'Autism: An Indian Perspective'

Government Lobbying
Government recognition of autism in India is an ongoing campaign of AFA. In October of 1996, AFA led a delegation of parents of autistic children from throughout India to meet the then Ministry of Welfare and lobby for inclusion of autism in the National Disability Bill. In February of 1997, AFA subsequently met with the Joint Secretary of Welfare, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi and numerous other officials. AFA has been successful in having autism included in The National Trust Bill. Lobbying will continue until appropriate legal reforms for people with autism and related disabilities have been achieved.

Update on Legal Issues in India

Networking
AFA actively seeks partnerships with other non-governmental organizations and persons interested in autism both within India and abroad. These relationships help share experiences and insure that support is provided to as many families as possible. To facilitate this process, AFA established a Federation of Indian Autism Organisations to represent the various schools and parent support groups all over the country. Members of AFA have attended conferences in Scotland, the U.S., Denmark and the Philippines, and have active collaboration with national organisations in several countries. AFA also represents South Asia in the World Autism Organisation (WAO), based in Europe. AFA has formalized sister school relationship with Heartspring, and Autism AACTION, a worldwide centers for children with special needs based in the U.S. This partnership offers the opportunity for additional support through a cultural and informational exchange between the staff and the teachers. Within India, AFA participates in the activities of organisations dealing with mentally and physically disabled to help foster relationships with regional groups.

List of Autism Organisations Worldwide