‘Encourage, be supportive of people with autism’

Chennai marked the World Autism Awareness Day, which fell on Monday, with a number of events across the city.

Peranbu, a short film by Radha Nandakumar, a special education consultant and the collective efforts of several parents of children with special needs was screened at Prasad Film Labs. The short film shed light on the need to create awareness about autism and how important it was for the general public to be supportive and encourage people with the condition.

Following the film screening, director Vasanth, who was a special guest, said that films were an extremely effective medium to spread awareness and that he hoped that the short film would get screenings. “It is also important to recognise the parents of children with special needs for all the patience, support and encouragement they give their children,” he said.

At the Institute of Child Health, Egmore, over 20 parents and children participated in an awareness event, said M.S. Jagadeesan head of the child psychiatry department. Competitions were held for children on the autism spectrum disorder over the past week, and on Monday, prizes, medals and gifts were distributed. The event also saw the release of a pamphlet for parents and a booklet. A continuing medical education programme was also held for doctors on the importance of early identification, Dr. Jagadeesan said. Mission director, National Health Mission, Tamil Nadu, Darez Ahamed participated.

We Can, a resource centre for autism spectrum disorder, along with Kai Rassi, an organisation that works with children and adults with special needs, held an art exhibition at Express Avenue Mall. Gita Srikanth, head, We Can, said the paintings were done by children at the school. Eight paintings were displayed and about four were sold, she said. The remaining will be put up on the centre’s website for possible future sales. This apart, We Can also had various establishments lighting up in blue to spread awareness, including Ripon Buildings.

Sankalp, an oragnisation that runs a learning centre for children on the autism spectrum disorder, organised a painting event. Students, parents, teachers and staff of the school, along with students of the Government College of Fine Arts painted one of the pillars of the Thirumangalam flyover, said Sulata Ajit, director, Sankalp Learning Centre. Children’s hand-prints branching out from a tree decorated the pillar.