On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2, voices from the field of special education in Kolkata are calling for deeper understanding, early intervention, and inclusive practices for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Dr Nandita Chatterjee, Director, Unmesh Child Development Foundation said: ‘’Unmesh Child Development Foundation works with children, focussing on their development. We work with all sorts of developmental problems, autism being a major arena of our activities. We run a special school in Kolkata by the name of UNMESH SPECIAL SCHOOL. We run multidisciplinary development clinics in Kolkata and rural areas in South 24 Parganas and Purulia attending to children with developmental challenges per month. We also conduct home based early intervention programs in rural Bengal reaching out to children with disabilities. Parallely, we engage in trainings, awareness programs and advocacy for autism and other developmental challenges. Our aim is to help each and every child reach their maximum potential.”
Special educator, Kakali Kar has been working in this field for two decades. Kakali echoed the need for community participation. “Every child with autism has unique strengths. With the right guidance and patience, they can thrive and contribute meaningfully to society,” she noted.
Different organizations across the city marked the day with workshops, interactive sessions, and awareness programs aimed at breaking stigma and promoting acceptance.
As India continues to strengthen its framework for disability inclusion, experts stress that sustained efforts in education, healthcare, and policy are vital. World Autism Awareness Day serves as a reminder that building an inclusive society begins with empathy, awareness, and collective responsibility.
