Cuttack, April 19. 2026 [ADN] The importance of early identification, acceptance and inclusive societal participation of individuals with autism was stressed at a day-long seminar organised to mark the Autism Awareness Month at the Mental Health Institute (Centre of Excellence) of the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital here on Friday.
The seminar was organised by the Department of Occupational Therapy of Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Resrarch (NIRTAR), Olatpur, in collaboration with MHI (COE) with the objective of enhancing awareness, promote inclusion and strengthen multidisciplinary approaches towards supporting individuals with autism.
The theme of the seminar read ‘From Awareness to Acceptance: Supporting Individuals with Autism’.
Most of the resource persons who spoke highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration, community awareness and strengthening of rehabilitation services.
Mr. Sarada Rout, a teenaged autistic person, who was the chief guest at the event, shared his inspiring personal journey, reflecting on lived experiences and challenges. He emphasised the importance of acceptance, opportunity and self-belief needed to empower individuals with autism.
He also rendered a soulful invocation of mantras creating a serene and uplifting atmosphere at the venue.
The program was graced by several distinguished dignitaries including Dr. K.C.Mohapatra, Deputy Director (Technical), SVNIRTAR, Dr. Anurupa Senapati, Head of Department of Occupational Therapy, SVNIRTAR, Dr. Ajay Mishra, Head of Department of Psychiatry, MHI (COE) and Prof. (Dr.) Sarada Prasanna Swain, Department of Psychiatry, MHI (COE).
The experts from SVNIRTAR who included Dr. Anurupa Senapati, Dr. Kshanaprava Mohakud (Occupational Therapist), Dr. Abhishek Mohanty and Dr. Ditipriya Sarkar actively contributed to the program.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation with 125 persons attending while another 100 participants joined online. The offline participants comprised professionals from diverse multidisciplinary disciplines including the Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics and Neurology besides Psychiatric Social Workers (PSWs), Clinical Psychologists and Occupational Therapists reflecting robust interdisciplinary participation.
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