India Autism Center marked World Autism Awareness Month with Autism in Practice, a series of parent focused knowledge sessions held with the Society of Pediatric Neurology, Bengal. The event aligned with IAC’s vision to build Samaavesh, India’s largest lifelong residential care ecosystem for neurodiverse individuals. Leading specialists, 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, served as panellists.
Mr Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and CEO of India Autism Center, gave the keynote address. This set the stage for practical dialogue. Dr Manish Samnani, Clinical Director at SOCH and President of the Haryana Chapter of AIOTA, led the opening session on occupational therapy. He shared strategies to boost functional independence for those on the autism spectrum.
The event covered Medicines and Beyond, moderated by Dr Rudrajit Sinha. Multispecialty clinicians, therapists and experts discussed integrated autism care. Topics included balancing medical, behavioral and therapeutic interventions. The talk stressed collaborative models tailored to individual needs. It also covered evolving pediatric neurology methods, early diagnosis and treatment advances.
Later sessions addressed nutrition led by Prof Dr Kalpana Dutta. The focus was on dietary needs, feeding challenges and nutrition’s role in child development on the spectrum. A fireside chat featured parent advocates Ms Nilanjana Rambothu and Ms Sumitra Paul Bakshi. They shared real parenting experiences and milestones. Ms Ranjana Chakraborty spoke on behavioral strategies for pre-teens and teens on the spectrum. She covered emotional regulation, social skills and practical steps. Dr Jashodhara Chaudhuri and Sakhi Singhi gave closing remarks.
Mr Jaishankar Natarajan said, “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.”
Dr Manish Samnani noted, “It was truly a meaningful experience to be part of India Autism Center. Engaging with parents, professionals, and individuals on the spectrum created a valuable space for shared learning and dialogue. While I had the opportunity to discuss practical, day-to-day behavioural management strategies for home settings, I also gained important insights from the lived experiences and perspectives shared during the session. Such collaborative initiatives are essential in strengthening our collective understanding and advancing more responsive, person centric approaches to autism care.”
Dr Rudrajit Sinha, Consultant Advanced Laparoscopy and Gastroenterology at Apollo Clinic, Director of Good Gut Clinic and CCC Surgery, and Vice President of Special Olympics Bharat, added, “As a clinician and a parent to a 17 year old on the spectrum, I believe autism awareness must extend beyond a single month into everyday understanding and inclusion. Initiatives like Autism in Practice bring together diverse medical expertise and lived experiences, enabling meaningful dialogue around current therapies and future directions. With early intervention, appropriate support, and greater societal acceptance, individuals on the spectrum can lead fulfilling lives and actively participate in the world around them.”
The sessions equipped families with insights on medication, therapies and transitions to adulthood. IAC continues to foster awareness through such expert engagements for compassionate, long-term autism support.
