The Does your child see the world with a different lens? May be there’s something special about them. If that special thing is Autism Spectrum Disorder, you know how difficult it can get to find the right resources for your smart angel.  

Did you know that about 1-1.5% children in India fall on the autism spectrum? Like with many other disorders, first aid is of utmost importance.The lack of awareness and knowledge on autism spectrum disorder can sometimes serve to amplify the symptoms which could otherwise be curbed through timely intervention.  

In a bid to mobilize a bigger movement towards understanding ASD, our Tata Power Community Development Trust (TPCDT) in partnership with Center for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education (CADRRE) has launched Pay AUTention. Through this initiative, we aim to empower parents, caregivers, Anganwadi workers, and teachers to be the primary therapists and provide early intervention to children with autism.

We believe that a different mind is a gifted mind. With that thought in mind, it is our vision to ensure that every child and young adult with autism receives the care and services they require. No child should be devoid of attaining their true potential and living a comfortable life because they are different. 

Our mission

As we expand our network of practitioners, we are on a mission to reach every child with autism. We hope to create a larger support network for families and stakeholders across geographies to impart awareness about living a beautiful life with ASD. 

Autism or autism spectrum disorder is a neuro-developmental disorder that is defined by a set of behaviors that vary from child to child. The signs of autism begin during early childhood (usually before the age of 3) and have a significant impact on the individual’s development as an adult too. Since autism is a spectral disorder, children and adults with autism can show symptoms in any degree of severity. So, two individuals with the same diagnoses may present very differently.  

Usually, the neuro-developmental impairments are observed in speech and communication, social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and unusual ways of perceiving and processing information. This can hinder carrying out simple everyday activities and impede an individual’s educational and social functioning.

A lot of behavioral symptoms and core deficits of autism spectrum disorder can be improved if identified and addressed early on. The Indian Academy of Pediatrics has therefore recommended ASD screening of all children at 18 and 24 months. But the lack of dedicated healthcare professionals like developmental pediatricians, clinical psychologists, child psychiatrists, and pediatric neurologists presents a challenge not unknown to India. This deficit leads to an inevitable delay in identifying cases, thereby compounding the effects of the disorder. 

Evidence-based, multidisciplinary early intervention services for children diagnosed with ASD are not easily available in all parts of India. The number of professionals available is very few compared to the number of children who need intervention. This not only impacts the children physically, mentally, and emotionally, but can also have stressful implications for the parents. Helpless and clueless on how to communicate with their child, handle their distresses, teach skills, and manage behavior, parents across the country are looking for answers. Not to forget that their child’s developmental lag keeps worsening over time. 

Pay Autention seeks to enable healthcare professionals, Anganwadi workers, and teachers to identify the “red flags” of ASD in children. Through online videos, webinars and workshops, we hope to keep every child on the right track for their development. The project’s outreach, Friends of Autism will further support families across tier 2 and tier 3 cities by connecting them with the portal to access resources and specialized services that they require for their child.