AIIMS Assam and Yi Celebrate World Autism Day with Awareness Drive and Inclusive Activities

Changsari, Assam April 2, 2025: Young Indians (Yi), in collaboration with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Changsari, and the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of Assam, successfully celebrated World Autism Awareness Day on April 2 at AIIMS, Changsari. The event aimed to spread awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and provide support to parents and caregivers of autistic children.

A key highlight of the event was the launch of an Autism Awareness Leaflet, a collaborative initiative designed to provide simple, accessible, and essential information about autism for the general public. The awareness campaign reached out to over 300 individuals, including students, parents, and healthcare workers, sensitizing them about early signs of autism, available support systems, and the importance of acceptance and inclusion.

The event also hosted a peer support discussion for parents, offering a safe and constructive platform to share experiences, challenges, and best practices for raising and supporting children on the autism spectrum.

Engaging and inclusive activities such as painting, drawing, musical chair, and an obstacle course were organized for autistic children, encouraging expression, interaction, and joy. Every child participant received a certificate and goodies to acknowledge their presence and celebrate their talents.

The event was graced by esteemed department heads of AIIMS and the Executive Director, Dr. Ashok Puranik, who emphasized the vital role of early intervention and inclusive community initiatives in autism care.

Ronak Khetawat, Chair of Yi Guwahati, shared, “Inclusion begins with awareness, and by bringing together parents, educators, healthcare professionals, and the community, we are working toward building a more empathetic and supportive society for individuals with autism.”

The combined efforts of AIIMS, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and Yi reinforced the commitment to promoting autism awareness and creating a sustainable ecosystem of care, compassion, and inclusion.