Smile Foundation has initiated a novel venture with Action for Autism focusing on special children – those with Autism. The initiative aims to get in touch with the vast number of children with autism across India and has built-up an integrated approach to development with prime focus on Diagnosis & Assessments, Early Intervention & Counseling, Education, Family & Parent Skill Building and Living Skills Training.

About the Partner

Action for Autism [AFA] is the primary organization in South Asia specializing in Autism Spectrum Disorders. It was established in the year 1991. Action for Autism is an organization that has pioneered in the field of education, training & advocacy, and works to support the rights of children & adults with autism spectrum, disorders & multiple disabilities. It is a complex lifelong brain disorder which presents at around two & effects the way brain processes information & prevents individual from properly understanding what they see, hear, & other wise.

Action for Autism has received support and worked with host of national & international organizations including Asian Development Bank, Autism Denmark, Danish Council of Organization of Disabled People, DSFA (British High Commission), Nestle, Pepsi, to name few. Action for Autism is among the select few organizations in the country which provide educational service and training for people with autism.

As an innovative endeavour recently, Action for Autism has started a Verbal Behavior Analysis unit which proves to be effective in teaching communication and social skills and helps to teach Autistic children to communicate meaningfully and effectively to use the social environment to their advantage.

The Project

A Verbal Behavior Analysis [VBA] Unit at Open Door School has been set up at the National Centre at Jasola Vihar in Delhi, providing special needs of the special children. The unit will enable these children to learn and function intellectually, physically, & socially within the limitations that the disability imposes on them. It is a latest technique proven to be effective in teaching communication skills to children with Autism.

The VBA section takes in children who have a diagnosis of Autism spectrum disorders and structured curriculum emphasis on children between 2-8 years of age for intensive intervention. The children of 8 years are taken for more generalized intervention. The VBA unit also considers their socio-economic background for effective learning. The VBA unit will cater to 20 beneficiaries will directly and 100 beneficiaries indirectly in a year. The VBA section functions from 9am-2pm from Monday to Friday. Each class is held in combination of group activities and one on one session with each child. Every effort is made to accommodate some of the older children from the school who need VBA intervention.

VBA deals with developing communication which is a most important goal along with learning of social skills, motor skills and play skills. It ranges from the very basic ability to attend and comply, with more complex ability of interaction, understanding social skills and negotiating interpersonal relations.

Curriculum designed for the centre includes:

• Activity sessions with the use of pictures, beads, objects to enable learning

• Play sessions with activities that have simple instructions

• Music sessions for relaxation and recreation

• Physical therapy sessions for children with severe sensory difficulties

• Art classes

Key Areas and Special Focus

Developing Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) according to the needs and ability of each child. This means that for each child the emphasis on teaching communication, social and motor skills will based on their individual difficulties.

• Intensive one to one sessions will be the key method

• High level of parent involvement will be encouraged. Parents will be asked to come and watch and work with their children so that they can try the same methods at home.

• Learning will take place in a natural environment so that children are able to generalize their learning more easily.

• Holding regular monthly meetings with parents who are already a part of the Open Door

• Holding at least 2 workshops in a year for doctors/special educators/other professionals working in the area of developmental disabilities.

Smile Foundation and Action for Autism are hopeful that these special children will get immediate benefits through this innovative endeavour. Depending on the success of the model, the same is projected to be implemented through other centres across the country.