World Autism Awareness Day Seminar at Manasa Highlights Importance of Early Identification, Inclusive Practices

Hyderabad: Dr T. Krishna Murthy, brain and spine surgeon, said that children with autism often have different sensory processing abilities, which influence their behaviour and interaction with the environment. He highlighted the critical role of parents in early identification by observing key developmental indicators such as eye contact, responsiveness, and interaction levels in infants.

He was speaking at a seminar, ‘Early Identification and Intervention in Autism: Changing Life Trajectories’ organised to mark World Autism Awareness Day by the Manasa Institute of Child Health and Disability Studies. The programme brought together medical professionals, special educators, parents, and therapists to deliberate on the importance of early detection and intervention in autism.

Dr A. Vishnu Priya, developmental paediatrician, highlighted the importance of adapting teaching methods to suit the child’s learning style. “When a child is not able to learn the way we teach, we must teach in the way the child learns,” she said, stressing the need for visual, speech, and comprehension-based support systems.

Dr Priya called for schools and public spaces to become inclusive and sensory-friendly. Developmental patterns may differ, and children with autism could benefit from family participation, engagement in play and fun, physical and sensory fitness and ability to form friendships.

R. Brijanand Reddy, education counsellor, spoke on the right of children with disabilities to access education in mainstream schools, including provisions for reservation. Drawing from his experience in the Kendriya Vidyalaya, he shared that inclusive classrooms have shown positive outcomes, with peer support playing a significant role in enhancing learning among children with autism.