Samarpan was established in February 2002 by SOPAN - The Society of Parents of Children with Autistic Disorders.

Samarpan is a centre for Autism Spectrum Disorders that caters to the needs of individuals who lie within the autism spectrum. Services range from diagnosis and early intervention to pre-vocational training. This also includes individuals who are in mainstream education.

Samarpan has a group of trained and dedicated professionals who work in collaboration for the development of the child.

:: Objectives
Samarpan aims at development of individuals with ASD through the following objectives:

• To provide a service for screening, diagnosis & educational assessment of students with ASD

• To provide systematic early intervention and parent involvement programs

• To provide Individualized Training Programs that meet the unique needs of students with ASD

• To develop independent living abilities in students through pre-vocational and vocational training

• To support, guide and prepare parents and family members for effective management of children with ASD

• To develop human resources in the area of ASD through training programs for parents and professionals

• To contribute to the body of knowledge on ASD through research activities and documentation

• To advocate the cause of persons with as ASD and engage in activities that lead to their empowerment and complete inclusion in the community

:: ASD Services
Samarpan assists the individual with ASD through a range of developmental services. These include:

• Identification & Differential Diagnosis
  Children with autism, mental retardation, Asperger’s Syndrome, attention deficit hyperactive disorder and other developmental disabilities have been differentially diagnosed.
  
  

• Early Intervention
  Children receive individualized therapy in Language and Communication, and Sensory Integration. The main focus here is in the development of Pre-learning skills, appropriate play skills and age appropriate social interaction.

   

  
  

• Individualized Training Programs
  Every child is assessed by a multidisciplinary team that comprises of the special educator, occupational therapist and language therapist. An individual educational plan (IEP) is then designed for him/her. Both professionals and parents implement this program. The parents are trained to run the program at home. Progress is monitored and programs are modified as per need.

• Sensory Integration & Occupational Therapy
  Samarpan has a well equipped unit for remediation of sensory integration deficits in children with ASD. Besides therapy for vestibular and proprioceptive stimulation, the unit offers exercises for motor skills critical for functional activities of daily living.

  

• Language & Communication Therapy
  Language & communication skills are taught to both verbal and non-verbal children. Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC) such as the Makaton Language Program and the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) are used as part of the program. Language and Communication skills are also developed through group activities.
  
  
  

• Small-Group Class Room Programs
  Children in this category consist of those who have already developed tablereadiness, pre-learning skills and the initial stage of social interaction (turn taking). They follow a structured program that focuses on education, language and communication training in activities of daily living, social skills and adaptive physical education.

  

• Pre-Vocational Training
  Individuals in their teens are trained to develop pre vocational skills. The emphasis here is to develop fine motor skills (for handicrafts), Kitchen/Domestic skills and most importantly for independent living.

   

  
  
  

• Parent Enrichment and Training Programs
  Parents are trained to follow their child’s individual education plan using methods of teaching that follow the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition, some parents are also trained to work with children other than their own under the supervision of a trained staff.

   

• Family Guidance
  Samarpan offers counseling and family guidance to parents, siblings and family members.
  
  

• Outreach Programs
  The multidisciplinary team at Samarpan assesses children who come from different parts of the country for home programs. Based on the assessment, an individual education plan (IEP) is drawn for the child in each of the assessed areas namely, Language & Communication, Special Education and Sensory Integration. Parents are given training to run this structured program so that they can correctly follow the same teaching methods. Support is also given to children with ASD who are in mainstream schools. Mainstream school teachers are guided and parents are also trained to deal with challenging behaviors that come in the way of the child’s learning.
  
  

• Research, Documentation & Dissemination of information.
  Faculty members of Samarpan have conducted educational researches in ASD. Samarpan is also conducting an action research on one of its human resource development programs.
  
  

• Human Resource Development
  In-Service Staff Development Programs
  The staff members of Samarpan are qualified professionals (recogised by the Rehabilitation Council of India) from renowned training institutes in India. Staff Development Programs are regularly conducted to keep the staff abreast with developments in the area of ASD. Training Programs for professionals have also been conducted in ASD for schools, universities and centres in and out of Mumbai by faculty of Samarpan.
  ASD Orientation Programs are conducted for student trainees who visit Samarpan on
  educational field trips. These students come from Mumbai and other parts of the country. The members of staff regularly conduct ASD Awareness Programs for people in the community. Programs have held for social service groups, religious associations, church and parishes etc. Students of M.Ed. (Special Education) from SNDT Women’s University have been involved in practical training in ASD. Students of Arts, Engineering and various other disciplines have also visited Samarpan for project work on ASD and related issues.
  
  

• Volunteers
  College students and community members from various streams volunteer at Samarpan. Many have assisted in raising financial support, some have helped in organizing events & functions while others have served as teacher aides.

  

• Exhibitions
  Exhibitions of the students' work are held every year where items made by students of the pre-vocational group as part of their training are displayed.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• National, Cultural and Religious Celebrations
  We at Samarpan consciously instill in the students a feeling of patriotism, religious unity and mutual respect by celebrating Independence Day, Diwali, Holi, Idd, and Christmas etc.

Through its intervention programs, Samarpan aims to meet the needs of individuals with ASD and build on their strengths, enabling them to live with dignity and function as productive members of society.