Berhampur: TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) has successfully conducted a two-day workshop on autism-early identification and care under the Pay Autention initiative.
Over 215 participants, including Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), attended the four sessions held in the block offices of Rangeilunda and Chhatrapur.
The workshop was conducted in collaboration with government institutions/ offices of the Block Development Officer (BDO), Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), BPM-Odisha Livelihood Mission, BLC – Mission Shakti and the expert trainers from Kerala-based NGO CADRRE (Centre for Autism and other Disabilities Rehabilitation Research and Education).
The workshop aimed to empower parents and caregivers to become primary therapists of autistic children by raising awareness and providing a better understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a neuro-developmental disorder of varying severity, characterised by challenges in social interaction, communication, and restrictive or repetitive patterns of behaviour that often begin during early childhood and persist throughout an individual’s lifespan.
The initiative also aimed to build the capacity of Anganwadi workers, healthcare staff, schoolteachers, NGOs and social workers to become the primary identification and support champions for early intervention in children and young adults with autism. This will create a more inclusive world for autistic children by establishing an Auxiliary network of champions for differently-abled individuals.
This project is designed around Tata Power’s core objective of “Empowering with Care,” with a focus on enabling mentoring support, skilling and providing a meaningful livelihood for people with Autism.
Applauding the initiative Arvind Singh, CEO, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Ltd, said, “We aim to empower parents, caregivers, and workers to be primary support champions for children and young adults with autism.”
“This aligns with our objective of empowering people with care and creating a more inclusive world. The collaboration with government institutions and trainers from the NGO CADRRE enabled more than 215 participants to attend. We remain committed to fostering skill-building, mentoring support and meaningful livelihood for differently-abled individuals,” he added.
