Registration Details

Action For Autism NGO Organization Members

Action For Autism Source Funds

Contact details

Action For Autism Key Issues and Operational Areas, Major Activiities & Achivements

Operational Districts: South

Operational States: DELHI

AchieveMents:  Successfully facilitated admission for over 100 children with ASD in mainstream schools  Made services at AFA accessible to over 25,000 families  Facilitated startup of several schools and organisations including in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Karachi, Kathmandu, Kolkata, Pakistan  Conducted over 400 training workshops across India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Kenya, Kazakhstan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, Tajikistan, the UK  In 1994 started the first school in India specializing in providing education to children with autism and publication of Autism Network
  In 1997 prepared a comprehensive legal document, with exhaustive annotations, references to legislation and annexures from across the world in the campaign to have autism recognized as a specific disorder by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. This combined with intensive lobbying with the authorities contributed to the appointment of the Amendments Committee to suggest amendments to the Persons with Disabilities Act in 1998. 
  Was involved in the drafting of, and instrumental in the inclusion of autism in the National Trust for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 
  In 1997 launched the first website www.autism-india.org on autism in Asia which is an important reference point for the autism community.  From 1998 lobbied the Rehabilitation Council of India highlighting the need for a Teacher Training Programme specific to Autism Spectrum Disorders. Continued efforts which have culminated in the Diploma in Special Education (Autism Spectrum Disorders) in 2003 
  In 1998 represented India in the launch of the World Autism Organisation (WAO) and was a founding member. Was involved in the discussions leading up to the launch of WAO  Starting 1998 implemented a two-year project with pediatricians across the country to create awareness of autism and share information on diagnosis.  Succeeded in the inclusion of Autism in the National Trust Bill which is now the National Trust for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999  Undertakes research on rehabilitation methods and outcome; is currently in the first stage of a prevalence study 
  Action For Autism successfully lobbied the Government and the Rehabilitation Council of India for a one year Diploma in Special Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders and started the training course in 2003 
  In 2005 Action For Autism established the National Centre for Autism for which the foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister Mrs Sheila Dixit in 2004, and which was inaugurated by the Mrs Sonia Gandhi in 2007 
  From 2006 – 2008 carried out an awareness campaign targeting 15,000 pediatricians across the country in raining awareness about diagnostic criteria for autism 
  Facilitated Persons with Autism to speak as self-advocates, a difficult proposition for any mental disability in India.  AFA had received 10 acres of land in Gurgaon from Government of Haryana in 2010. Construction of Ananda, first model residence for persons with autism is already underway.