Build a Group home for 200 Indians with Autism

The country was slowly opening up after the lock down and it was more than 6 months since any of the residents had stepped out of Ananda. Even when we used to take our residents for picnics and outings, it was our wish to take them for a longer trip. Our past experiences of taking them on car rides to nearby places gave us an idea that our residents would definitely enjoy a trip but at the same time we were also aware about the planning and preparation we need to put behind it. 

So by early February planning started happening like deciding where should the destination be ,for how long should the trip be, which places will be selected for the local sight-seeing etc. After considering many factors Jaipur, Rajasthan was chosen for the visit. Once everything was sorted out it was time for the next big step, which was letting our residents know about the trip. The team at Ananda wrote a social story adding lots of visuals and then the social story was shared with the adults. Once social story was shared, the next step was to mark those dates on the calendars of the residents. After that staff members made it a point to read out the social story twice a day and whenever the residents checked their calendar they were reminded of the upcoming tour with a lot of enthusiasm. 

Finally the big day arrived, everything was set, all bags ready, foods for the journey were packed and all the residents were eagerly waiting, but then came the first hurdle....the bus wasn’t there at Ananda on time. The team was supposed to leave  by 7 am, but  even at  8:30 they were still in their living room all dressed up. The staff members quickly had a conversation with the residents after gathering information why the bus was late. Finally after almost two hours of waiting they started their onward journey. Since it was a five hour long journey all the residents were prepared for the same with a work system. On the way they had a lot of fun by singing songs, playing antakshari and having light snacks. They also halted on the way for tea/coffee. Our residents not only cooperated, but also enjoyed the whole journey. The team reached Jaipur at around 2:30 pm and checked into the hotel. 

In the evening they went for sightseeing . They also visited the local market and did some shopping. Some of our residents were very enthusiastic and purchased gifts for themselves as well as their loved ones. On the second day they visited Jalmahal , Amer Fort and Hawa Mahal. All our residents greatly enjoyed it. In the evening they had a dinner feast at one of the ex-colleague’s house in Jaipur. All enjoyed the delicious Rajasthani food followed by music and dance. Third day was the  last day of the Jaipur trip , so staff members reminded residents about their return journey to Ananda by giving them a work system and showing it in their calendar which was already marked. 

On day 3, they started the return journey to Ananda. Again it was a long journey but everybody enjoyed it by singing, taking loads of pictures, munching snacks etc. The expected time to return back was by 9 pm, but the diversions and traffic jam delayed it. Staff members quickly explained the situation to our residents and all of them cooperated really well - they waited nicely and had their dinner inside the bus . Finally they reached Ananda very late. The short trip to Jaipur ended well and they all made beautiful memories to cherish. 

Ananda the Centre for Supported Living for persons with Autism believes in making every day exciting and full of fun for the residents. The team of educators plan the day in such a way that all residents look forward to their day and the activities that follows. Our residents play games, does gardening, goes for walk, paints, creates art, does exercise and yoga, helps in house work like washing clothes, cleaning and plays music and watches television. One of the common activities which all our residents enjoys a lot is the music time. The music time is planned and structured in a way that all our residents get engrossed in it. Our residents set the hangout up for the music time by getting the mat and opening it, getting chair and arranging them, bringing the music instruments and setting them up. After arranging for the music time all adults take their seats in a circle and choose the instrument of their choice from the Djembes, Duffs, Key board and Guitar. The most favorite is djembe and key board. They love to play it and sing along to their own beat and rhythms of their life. Sometime our other staff members join and bring different energy to the group. Ananda comes alive with singing and music of the residents and staff members. it’s a beautiful sight to see our residents enjoy playing the instruments, being a part of the group, interacting with sounds, and smiling at each other. Anyone watching can’t help but join the group during music time. Music truly is a way to bring “ANAND” to life of the residents.

 Relief Work 

AFA partnered with a group of wonderful people to start Project Delhi to support the most marginalised people with disabilities. With support from members and friends of AFA we reached out with dry rations and medicines impacting 3100 people who were locked in their homes without resources. In another initiative AFA provided cooked meals to migrant labourers  with support of amazing friends, supporters and volunteers. 

Web Learnings 

The lockdown provided us the opportunity of putting into action our long-cherished plans for online trainings. We are delighted to share that we are successfully running multiple web trainings for participants across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and the Maldives. The professional training programs (Diploma and Bachelor degrees) are also running online. Multiple AFA team members have served as invited speakers and panellists for other disability and rights organisations. 

Services Online 

Within days of the lockdown, realising that we were in it for the long period, the team put their creativity and energy into setting up and running our services virtually: Open Door Special School, Aadhaar Vocational Centre, Parent Child Training Program, Occupational, Sensory, Speech and Language Therapy, Educational Intervention, as well as Counselling.  

Thank you!! 

We began this journey  at Ananda in 2016 and our motto has always been to give them a happy and productive life. Adults are now well settled and enjoy their stay at Ananda 

 Residents celebrated Holi (festival of colours) at Ananda premises. Our young adults loved and enjoyed playing with the dry colours and they really enjoyed being painted with bright colours. After playing with colours they had  fun time and sang together bollywood numbers .They all enjoyed their snacks after playing with the  colours. Special food on a special day is something that all our residents really look forward. 

 Other activities which are part of their routine are taking care of the kitchen garden and flower plants. Young men enjoy watering in fruits, vegetables and flower plants. They plough the soil with a trowel, clear weeds, pluck fruits and vegetables, mow the lawn, etc.

 We have been able to run this project because you have walked with us and supported us generously. We are having plans to increase programs which are essential for the development of persons with autism and we will be able to do so with your support only.

Action for Autism(AFA) is Twenty Five!!

Each one of you has contributed to the success of AFA!

Here we bring to you the highlights of the celebrations that has marked twenty five years of our journey.We are exited to share some of the events that have been celebrated throughout the year.

Highlights 2019

Big Bazar's Quiet Hour- Since April 2019 Big Bazar of Future Group  organises inclusive and conducive shopping for individuals on the spectrum.AFA has been instrumental in connecting  Big Bazar  with various autism organisations around India.

Success at Work Place-We would like to congratulate AM for completing five years with Lemon Tree Hotel.Congratulations to AA for being the proud bread winner of his family.

Gathered Leaves-We organised a staging of a play directed by the prominent theatre personality Faisal Alkazi of Ruchika theatre.Everyone enjoyed the dynamics that play in a family with the father and son on the spectrum.

Views from Planet Autism- 47 artists from India and south east asia showcased and earned from their art works at the nineth annual exebition by the people on sepectrum.

Update on Advocacy-AFA's team participated in national and international research and advocacy events and brain stormings.These included WHO's technical meeting,Geneva,INSAR annual meet,Canada,APAC Singapore and numerous meetings of the DePWD, NCERT amongst others.

Trainings at AFA-AFA trained over 1000 individuals by workshops in India and south east asia.In last September we received training from  Dr Brenda Smith Myles, an autism expert from the US.

Get ...Set... Go... AFA's Annual Sports Meet was organised for the children, adolescents and adults of AFA.

Coming back to Ananda, we are happy to share that the residents have found their home, a space where individuals with autism live and work with dignity and respect.Some lovely photos are attached here.

Thank you so much for your valuable contributions!

We wish you a happy and prosperous 2020!