Disability Initiatives,University of Jammu in collaboration with Brainpreneurs-Child Development Centre Jammu today organised a webinar on autism awareness. While the research to detangle the complex intertwined network of genes and environment behind autism is ongoing, the incidence of autism globally is on the rise. There has been a 178 per cent rise in the prevalence of autism in the past 20 years. In India, every 1 in 100 children below the age of 10 has autism. Prof. Rajni Dhingra, Dean Research Studies, University of Jammu was  the chief guest on the occasion.In her address she said that autism reflects the enormous complexity of the human brain displayed by our unique behaviours. She shared with the audience that the Hon’bleVice Chancellor University of Jammu Prof. Umesh Rai accentuates on the need of having synergistic linkages among schools, colleges and universities and hence courses on disabilities should be available not only at University level but also in schools and colleges. Earlier Dr. Sarika Manhas,Coordinator Disability Initiatives, JU and Organiser mentioned that this webinar is part of a series of events planned to spread awareness about the invisible and often difficult to identify disabilities. She mentioned that children having developmental delays/ degressions need to be identified early and then subsequent intervention or remedial therapy has to be instituted.Better diagnostic tools, personalised care and management are much needed in case of Autism, she stressed upon.

Mr. Zaheer Jan, Paediatric Rehabilitation Therapist and social worker and Ms.Aparajita Salathia,Clinical Psychologist were the resource persons on the occasion. Mr. Jan elaborated on the characteristics and red flags of children with autism and also talked about the various screening and diagnostic tools that can be used for identifying autism among children. He also shared about the role of intervention such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, behaviour modification, dance movement therapy and special education in catering to the needs of autistic children. Ms. Salathia in her technical session talked about virtual autism. She highlighted that excessive screen time is a major contributing factor towards the rising incidents of virtual autism among children.She also forwarded suggestions for limiting the time spent by children in the virtual environment. Both the resource persons answered the queries of the participants as well.

The webinar was attended by 80 participants comprising of academicians, rehabilitation professionals, teachers, special educators,NGO representatives, parents, research scholars and university students. Ms. Sunaina Tickoo, Founder and CEO of Brainpreneurs was the co-organizer of the event. Ms. Lily Bhan presented the formal vote of thanks and  Ms.  Sanika from Brainpreneurs successfully moderated the webinar.