Kolkata, April 2 – Experts are increasingly advocating for skill training and empathy to support individuals with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders in achieving gainful employment. This approach is seen as essential for fostering a more inclusive and supportive society for the neurodiverse community.
"Organisations need to create autism-friendly, inclusive workspaces," Budhia said, stressing that individuals with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and learning disorders are more common than we often realize.
As a mother to a special child, Budhia has seen firsthand how empathy fuels attitudinal shifts. "When teachers, educational institutes, employers, and society adopt an open-minded approach, individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives on their terms," she said.
The Deepranjani Foundation supports these efforts by securing orders from companies in these sectors. Autistic adolescents and adults work in specialized units, producing goods and services. A portion of the proceeds from these orders is distributed as salaries, along with statutory benefits such as provident fund (PF) and employee state insurance (ESI).
As awareness continues to grow, experts urge society to shift its focus from sympathy to understanding and empathy, recognizing that people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders have the potential to lead fulfilling, independent lives.
Rising Prevalence of Neurodevelopmental Disorders
The global prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders is on the rise, with autism affecting approximately one in every 100 children, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Psychotherapist Minu Budhia emphasized the importance of focusing on skill-building in sensory-friendly environments, alongside social communication training, to better equip individuals on the autism spectrum for the workforce."Organisations need to create autism-friendly, inclusive workspaces," Budhia said, stressing that individuals with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, intellectual disabilities, and learning disorders are more common than we often realize.
Empathy Over Sympathy
Budhia, who is the founder of Carring Minds International, highlighted that individuals on the autism spectrum do not need pity. Instead, they require understanding and empathy, which, in her view, means recognizing their strengths and celebrating their abilities. "Empathy is about providing the right support to help neurodiverse individuals thrive in a neurotypical world," she added.As a mother to a special child, Budhia has seen firsthand how empathy fuels attitudinal shifts. "When teachers, educational institutes, employers, and society adopt an open-minded approach, individuals with autism can lead fulfilling lives on their terms," she said.
Vocational Skill Training for Empowerment
Rehabilitation psychologist Amrita Panda also emphasized the importance of vocational skill training for people with autism, advocating for their inclusion in the workforce. Panda, who founded the Deepranjani Foundation to empower adolescents and adults with cognitive or behavioral disorders, highlighted five key areas for skill training: multimedia, bakery, spice making, handicrafts, and tailoring. These sectors provide viable employment opportunities for individuals on the autism spectrum.The Deepranjani Foundation supports these efforts by securing orders from companies in these sectors. Autistic adolescents and adults work in specialized units, producing goods and services. A portion of the proceeds from these orders is distributed as salaries, along with statutory benefits such as provident fund (PF) and employee state insurance (ESI).
Addressing Awareness Gaps
Both Budhia and Panda agreed that one of the challenges in supporting individuals with autism is the lack of awareness, which often leads to missed early signs. To tackle this issue, the Deepranjani Foundation has partnered with Vaishali Skill Development Centre, a Section 8 non-profit company, to enhance skilling opportunities and employability training. This initiative, launched on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day (April 2), aims to spread awareness and support the integration of people with cognitive and behavioral disorders into the workforce.As awareness continues to grow, experts urge society to shift its focus from sympathy to understanding and empathy, recognizing that people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders have the potential to lead fulfilling, independent lives.