Bengaluru-based NGO launches autism app in silver jubilee year

Bengaluru: A city-based non-profit, working on early intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a three-day event — from November 7 to 9 — at the Bangalore International Centre (BIC), Domlur.

The Com DEALL Trust’s early intervention programme began on November 1, 2000.

"The services for children with autism are few and far between and scattered across the country, even in a place like Bengaluru. As a trained speech pathologist, I had earlier worked with children with autism, and many parents had reached out to me to put together a programme to help the children because they were unsure where to go. That’s when I put together a multidisciplinary, early intervention programme,” said Dr Prathibha Karanth, founder-director and managing trustee of Com DEALL, sharing the background of the initiative.

Over the years, hundreds of children have benefited from the programme, she said. A scientifically controlled study using evidence-based practices has established the programme’s efficacy.

The event will begin on Friday evening with the launch of a documentary and coffee table book on the organisation. The release will be done by Uma Mahadevan, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner.

“We’re also launching a mobile app because we thought it would help reach people in small towns and rural areas to raise awareness about autism and related disorders and facilitate early intervention. We’ve been working on the app for the last two-and-a-half years, testing it with multiple groups of children across the country, and the results have been positive,” she added.

Closed-door presentations and workshops for professionals will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Public can visit an art exhibition featuring works by children with autism and informative stalls on early intervention at BIC during the three-day event.