India Autism Center (IAC) organises ‘Sammilit’, the International Conference on Autism 2020
Kolkata, January 15,
2020: India Autism Center (IAC), an initiative by Ratnabali Group which is setting up a
first of its kind development center in the world for individuals
with autism, over a 52-acre land near Kolkata hosted ‘Sammilit’, the
International Conference on Autism 2020 (www.autismconference.in) on and from January 10 to 12, 2020 at Amity University, Kolkata, which addressed
the problem at grassroots levels by initiating an inclusive space where every
participant,
listener, visitor, and volunteer is an equal who will enhance the society with
their unique personality and characteristics.
The Conference witnessed globally recognised advocators from the
autism community discussing on latest development and research on Autism focusing
on many leading and upcoming research and clinical practices in the field of
Autism. The discussions provided comprehensive, evidence-based information to
assist educators, other professionals, and families in developing effective
educational programming for all individuals under the spectrum.
Autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurological and
developmental disorder that affects about ten million Indians. It refers to a
range of conditions characterized by some degree of impaired social behaviour,
communication and language. The term “Spectrum”
reflects that symptoms can occur in any combination and with varying degrees of
severity, implying that it manifests itself differently in every individual.
Some of the global experts on Autism who
were seen deliberating were Ms.Liliana Mayo, Founder
and General Director of Centro Ann Sullivan del Perú, an organization that
serves people with developmental disabilities and their families, Mr. Ronald Leaf, a
licensed psychologist who began his career working with Ivar Lovaas in 1973, Dr. Abir
Mukherjee, eminent psychiatrist and associated Amri Hospital and Dr.
Jai Ranjan Ram, MD in Psychiatry from NIMHANS, Bangalore and also MRCPsych
from UK and CCST in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mr. Suresh Somani,
Managing Trustee & Chairman, India Autism Center.
Speaking at the Conference, Mr. Suresh
Somani, Managing Trustee
& Chairman, India Autism Center said, “All parents and every educator should
encourage holistic growth and development. Educational systems often focus on
strengthening in-demand-skills to increase employability. Interdisciplinary
growth is essential but unfortunately undermined by academic blinkers forced on
children’s eyes. At Sammilit, our attention will be drawn towards the
importance of holistic development so that each child is emotionally empowered,
passionately driven, physically confident and spiritually aligned.”
India Autism Center believes that by
ensuring meaningful employment opportunities for an individual on the autism
spectrum, he or she can lead a life of general well-being and
self-sustainability. IAC will provide the right kind of support to the
individuals, so that most of them are able to strive for excellence in the
workplace, no matter what the nature of employment may be. IAC’s program is
designed to identify the strengths of these individuals and to empower them
with the necessary skills required to be successful and productive members in
both their homes and community.
The main event constituted a conference
where highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals from across the world had assembled
to share their wisdom and study regarding developing a conducive, integrated
and inclusive lifestyle with people on the spectrum. ‘Sammilit’
witnessed an interactive panel discussion to break barriers that separate us
from people on the spectrum by stating truths about mental health conditions
and debunking deep-rooted myths. To merge both communities, Sammilit also
hosted an all-inclusive exhibition showcasing expressions of art by
neurotypical people who work in the field of Autism along with people on the
spectrum. This uncovered a whole new world of artistic abilities and
intense creative emotions when the young and old had projected their minds
through colors and strokes on paper, narratives in verse and poem, instruments
strung with melodies, and memories captured in photographic frames. For those
interested in personal training and deep learning sessions on Autism, IAC had
also conducted certification workshops curated for parents, students, special
educators, therapists, and doctors.
The research committee of India Autism
Center consists of professionals like Bhismadev Chakravarti, Prof. Sumantra Chatterji,
and Dr. Megha Sharda. All the committees are moving forward and
working symbiotically to bring about an all-round development to the project.IAC
also has onboard with itthe architect team as well as a landscapist’s team who
help in portraying a more meaningful and sustainable approach to the whole
design. A core team has been formulated and investigate the nitty-gritty of the
entire project and join the dots for the same.
Shaneel Mukherjee began working in Special Education in
Scotland, UK, in 2001 and focuses mainly on individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
Her work includes parent and teacher training in social communication, adaptive
skills and behavior management.
Dr. Jai Ranjan Ram is an MD in Psychiatry from NIMHANS,
Bangalore and has MRCP sych from UK and CCST in Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry. He had worked in the United Kingdom for 11 years before returning
to Kolkata and is now a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist attached to Apollo
Gleneagles Hospital in Kolkata. He co-founded the Mental Health Foundation,
which is a leading service and training provider in Mental Health. in Kolkata.
Dr. Ram has several international publications, including Autism. He works in collaboration
with several parent organizations in Kolkata which empower and train persons on
the spectrum.
Prof. Bhismadev Chakravarti is a Professor of Neuroscience and
Mental Health, and Research Director of the Centre for Autism at the School of
Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading. He read
Chemistry at St. Stephen's College, Delhi, India, and Natural Sciences at
Trinity College, Cambridge. He conducted his doctoral and postdoctoral research
at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, where he holds an
honorary senior researcher position.
Prof. Sumantra Chatterji is a Professor with the National Centre
for Biological Studies, Bangalore, India. His expertise lies in the research
areas of neural mechanisms of stress, neurodegenerative and autism spectrum
disorders, synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and amygdala. He is having
many publications in various international journals and awards to his credit.
Dr. Megha Sharda is a cognitive neuroscientist with
expertise in the brain mechanisms underlying language and music processing and
their application for developing music-based interventions for children with
autism.
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