The Post Graduate Department of Social Work, Family Cosmos Forum, School of Social Work, Roshni Nilaya, Mangaluru organised an International Webinar on the topic “Therapeutic Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder” On 20th October 2020.
Mr. Lijish Lawrence, Specialist Support Staff, Community Living Limited, Hamilton, New Zealand and Ms. Anu Thomas, ABA Therapist, ABA Effective Services, Bangalore were the guest speakers for the program.
The webinar began with Prof. Evelyn Benis Head of the Department of MSW giving the welcome address. Dr. Jenis Mary, Vice Principal of the college in her presidential remarks gave her best wishes for the success of the webinar. Ms. Dorothy Jenifer of 2nd year MSW gave the introductory note of the Webinar and Ms. Anagha Rose introduced the resource persons to the participants of the webinar. Ms. Anu Thomas started the session by showing a video of Dr. Perold where in a laboratory how rats are trained to play music. With the help of this video she explained Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), its origin, principles and application.
She also explained about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), its early signs and symptoms. She explained how Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects social, communication and repetitive or restricted behaviour and explained in details each of those areas.
The areas covered in work with ASD clients (children and adults) are:
- Reducing repeated behaviour
- Teaching community skills like ordering food from hotel, shopping, road crossing etc.
- Teaching play skills, school skills, social interaction skills.
- Co-morbid disorders like anxiety and;
- Increasing communication skills by using different mediums.
Then Ms. Tasneem Hegde, MS (Clinical Psychology), BCa BA responded to all the queries of the participants.
Mr. Lijish Lawrence gave a briefing on the structure of caring autism people. He explained his own experiences of working with people with Autism. He highlighted the differences in treatment in India and New Zealand when it comes to Autism. He shared his experiences in dealing with various cases. He also explained the procedures to admit the child, the legal formalities, functioning of the centres and the various trainings given to staff and key workers and the normal job assignments.
The webinar was informative and gave deep knowledge in the field of ‘’Therapeutic Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorder’’. The webinar concluded with Sr. Sunitha proposing the vote of thanks.
