

Striving to provide unbiased information on Autism for people in Bengaluru (Bangalore).
Stepping stone centre believes in the potential of every child and is focused on supporting children with autism and other developmental disabilities in achieving their potential. Myself and Nasser were delighted to meet the Cheif Operating Officer of the steppingstone centre K. Amritha when I was in Bengaluru in December 2018.
Using the framework of Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA), the centre has teachers, psychologists, occupational therapists and Speech and Language therapists to provide truly multidisciplinary support for the children. There is a strong emphasis on a multidisciplinary approach and collaborating with mainstream facilities in enabling children to achieve their potential.
Introduction to Steppingstone for a child and family start with “Early Intervention Program” which is a 6 weeks program for the child and parents focused on enabling parents with skills in supporting their children and “Individual Education Plan (IEP)” for the child. Steppingstone is focused on creating a clear pathway for the children both within the organisation as well as with their partner organisations.
They have also developed a strong academic link with Binghampton University in New York and Christ University in Bengaluru for development of training programmes and research which has to be congratulated.
Please find more information on their web site.
http://steppingstonescenter.in/
Gifted children with Asperger’s syndrome: this article is very useful in identifying and responding to gifted children with Asperger’s syndrome.
GBeing gifted and have a special educational needs: an article exploring the needs of children who are gifted and talented while having special educational needs at the same time.
Paradox of giftedness and autism: information for families from the University of Iowa.
Paradox of giftedness and autism: information for professionals from the University of Iowa.
Advocating for your gifted child with autism: This is a very useful,information for understanding how the child could be supported.
Helping Gifted Children with Autistic Spectrum Conditions Succeed.
Twice Exceptional Doesn’t Have To Be Twice as Hard: Experience of a mother and her gifted daughter.
Myths about gifted children busted
Swanand foundation – nurturing gifted children, a pune based organisation providing information and support to gifted children. This organisation is not specific to children with autism though.
Mind Springs – An organisation started by Usha Pandit, a renowned educationalist. This organisation is Mumbai based.
A site that gives News update on autism.
Autism and beyond: the duke institute launches an app that could potentially make smart phones capable being used for diagnosing autism. It is currently available on apple app centre as part of the research in establishing the validity of the technology. It is not at a stage it could be used for diagnosis though.
Story of an Indian mother’s journey for her son with autism: this story I believe is one of the many examples of struggles that families have to go through but at the same a ray of hope.
Parent led autism therapy: A therapy for children with autism adapted so that it can be delivered by parents of children with autism was tried in India (Goa) and Pakistan by a group of researchers from University of Manchester. Prof. Jonathan Green is the lead researcher. This is the way to go.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
Please leave your comments / suggestions. If you would like to publish an article on autism in this blog, please do email me.