Autistic students perform at SPJ Sadhana School with Rotary Club of Bombay Peninsula

Mumbai : Over the past few years, the SPJ Sadhana School and the Rotary Club of Bombay Peninsula  have developed a strong relationship. Jasmine Pandya, a Rotarian, has been a crucial volunteer at the school’s effort to normalise life for autistic children. The Rotary Club holds the view that autistic children should be allowed to work at their own pace with others, and that they should be encouraged to push themselves beyond their comfort zones.

In his view, “it is very important to bring awareness on Autism and to bring autistic children into the mainstream society,” says Prashant Gupta, president of the Rotary Club of Bombay Peninsula. Not too long ago, my company, Caerus3 Advisors and Think Tank, employed three autistic high school juniors and seniors as summer interns. Not only did my staff and I learn a lot, but the teenagers did as well. It was an important step towards genuine inclusion.

My Name is Khan, starring Shah Rukh Khan, was the first mainstream film to bring attention to Autism and raise public awareness. Prashant argues that in order to provide our autistic friends with a welcoming world, more people need to adopt a positive attitude towards autism.

The school strives to provide a welcoming environment for autistic students, equipping them with the tools they need to become self-sufficient adults. Jasmine Pandya says she has spent the last 25 years of her life volunteering because she is committed to helping autistic children lead fulfilling and successful lives.

Employees should be accepting of autistic coworkers in order to foster a positive work environment. They need to respect them as colleagues and learn to work with them. Nothing should be done that could cause harm to or a negative reaction from an autistic person.