Kolkata, April 11, 2026: India Autism Center (IAC) marked World Autism Awareness Month with ‘Autism in Practice’, a comprehensive series of parent-focused knowledge sessions aimed at strengthening awareness, guidance, and long-term care strategies for individuals on the autism spectrum.
The initiative aligns with IAC’s vision of developing Samaavesh, an ambitious lifelong residential care ecosystem for neurodiverse individuals, and reflects its commitment to building an inclusive and informed support network for families navigating autism care.
The programme brought together a diverse panel of multidisciplinary experts, 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, facilitating discussions across medical, therapeutic, and behavioural domains.
The event commenced with a keynote by Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and CEO of IAC, who emphasised the importance of equipping families with practical tools alongside awareness. This was followed by a focused session on occupational therapy led by Dr. Manish Samnani, Clinical Director at SOCH and President of the Haryana Chapter of AIOTA, highlighting strategies to enhance functional independence among individuals on the spectrum.
A key highlight of the programme was the session “Medicines and Beyond”, moderated by Dr. Rudrajit Sinha, which brought together clinicians and therapists to explore integrated approaches to autism care. The discussion underscored the importance of balancing medical, behavioural, and therapeutic interventions while advocating for collaborative, multidisciplinary care models tailored to individual needs. It also touched upon advancements in paediatric neurology, early diagnosis, and evolving intervention methods.
Additional sessions covered critical aspects of autism care, including nutrition, behavioural strategies, and parental experiences. A session led by Dr. Kalpana Dutta focused on dietary considerations and feeding challenges in children on the spectrum. A fireside chat featuring parent advocates Nilanjana Rambothu and Sumitra Paul Bakshi offered insights into lived experiences, while Ranjana Chakraborty conducted a session on behavioural modification strategies for pre-teens and teenagers, addressing emotional regulation and social skills.
In his address, Jaishankar Natarajan noted that ‘Autism in Practice’ is designed to bridge the gap between awareness and actionable guidance, particularly for families navigating complex and long-term care journeys. He reiterated IAC’s focus on extending support beyond early intervention, with Samaavesh envisioned as a structured, inclusive environment promoting dignity, independence, and lifelong care.
Dr. Manish Samnani highlighted the importance of collaborative engagement between professionals and families, noting that such platforms enable shared learning and more responsive, person-centric care approaches. Dr. Rudrajit Sinha, drawing from both clinical expertise and personal experience as a parent, stressed the need for sustained awareness, early intervention, and greater societal acceptance to enable individuals on the spectrum to lead fulfilling lives.
The initiative reinforces IAC’s ongoing efforts to foster informed, compassionate, and long-term approaches to autism care. By addressing areas such as medication, therapy, nutrition, and transition planning into adolescence and adulthood, ‘Autism in Practice’ aims to empower families with clarity, confidence, and practical support for lifelong care journeys.
