DOIMUKH, 2 Apr: A two-day state level workshop on ‘Understanding autism and neurodiversity’, aimed at creating awareness among students, educators, and educational institutions, concluded at Government College Doimukh (GCD) here in Papum Pare district on Thursday.
The workshop, organised by the English department of GCD, in collaboration with Ayang Multipurpose Cooperative Society, also marked the World Autism Awareness Day and the beginning of the Autism Awareness Month.
Founder of K Blooming Special School and Early Intervention Centre, Kaman Pertin Basar delivered an insightful session on autism spectrum disorder as resource person.
Pertin emphasised the importance of early identification and intervention, and highlighted the need to break stigma, build empathy, and promote inclusivity in society.
Rajiv Gandhi University Psychology Assistant Professor Dr Dharmeshwari Lourenbam spoke on mental wellbeing, coping strategies, and essential life skills for students.
She stressed the importance of addressing mental health issues openly and without judgement in today’s fast-paced world.
DIPRO Ramar Jokik highlighted the growing need for awareness on autism and emphasised the importance of organising such programmes across educational institutions in the state.
She encouraged all educators attending the workshop to keenly observe and identify early signs of autism among children and bring such observations to the notice of parents.
Highlighting that parental acceptance is the first and most crucial step in supporting children on the spectrum, she urged educators to help families understand and accept their children’s needs.
She further noted that many children with autism possess strong abilities in specific areas, and said that educators should identify these strengths and inform parents, so that the children can be nurtured and guided accordingly.
During the interactive session, the resource persons answered queries and cleared doubts raised by the participants.
More than 150 participants, including students and faculty members of GCD, and educators from various schools and institutions of the Itanagar Capital Region and Papum Pare district attended the workshop. (DIPRO)
