Clean Hearts of Children show Value of Unconditional Love – Bishop Peter Paul
Udupi: An Autism Awareness Programme was organized by Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre, Pamboor in association with the District Administration, Udupi on the occasion of the 21st Founders Day coinciding with the Children’s Day celebrations on 14 November 2018 at 10 am at the Manasa Special School Campus, Pamboor. Bishop of Mangaluru, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha presided over the inauguration of the seminar. Dr P V Bhandari, Medical Director of Baliga Group of Hospitals, Udupi and Dr Sumita Rege, Associate Professor, SOHAS Manipal were the resource persons. Gracy Gonslaves, Deputy Director of Women and Children Welfare Department, Udupi District inaugurated the awareness programme.
Prior to the programme, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha was received by Henry Menezes, Managing Trustee of Manasa along with Fr Ferdinand Gonslaves, Spiritual Director of the Catholic Sabha, Udupi Diocese at the entrance of Manasa. Thereafter, the Bishop visited the newly established Manasa Autism Centre- Early Intervention Unit and other facilities including the Rehabilitation and Training Centre. He also inaugurated and blessed the newly acquired school bus.
The Autism Awareness Programme commenced with the prayer song by the students of Manasa. Following the welcome address by Elroy Kiran Crasto, the Treasurer of Manasa, Simon D’Souza, one of the Trustees of Manasa, in his introductory address stressed upon the need to identify the early symptoms of autism among children so that they can be given proper training. He also mentioned the autism centre that was started by Manasa six months ago with six children identified with autism.
Gracy Gonsalves along with Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha and other dignitaries on the dais inaugurated the Autism Awareness Programme.
In her speech, Gracy Gonsalves said that a child is the joy of the family. But, unfortunately, if any child is found to be autistic, the entire family gets shattered. In order to overcome this condition, it is important for the parents, educational institutions and government agencies such as the Women and Child Welfare Department to identify such cases and undertake proper guidance to the parents and provide institutional training to the child.
On this occasion, three prominent members of the Catholic Sabha were felicitated. Anil Lobo Permai for being elected as the President of the MCC Bank, Elroy Kiran Crasto for being elected as the Director of the MCC Bank and Dr Edward Lobo for being appointed as the Director of the Health Commission of Udupi Diocese.
Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha who paid his first visit to the Manasa Rehabilitation and Training Centre after having taken charge of the Mangalore Diocese as the Bishop was also honoured by the Managing Committee of Manasa.
In his message, Bishop Peter Paul appreciated the great work that is being done by Manasa in developing self-confidence among the differently abled children and providing them with training and education. He also complimented Manasa for starting the Autism centre. Speaking further, Bishop Peter Paul said that we can learn many things from children. As they are clean at heart and innocent they show us the value of unconditional love.
Henry Menezes delivered the vote of thanks, Flavin D’Souza and Ashwini Acharya compered the inaugural programme.
The Autism Awareness Programme was conducted by Dr P V Bhandari and Dr Sumita Rege as resource persons.
In his presentation, Dr P V Bhandari spoke on “Autism-Seriousness of the Issue, Lack of Awareness and Impact on the Families”.
Dr Sumita Rege made a presentation on “Symptoms of Autism, Early Detection and Early Intervention. Role of Therapists, Parents and Society at large”.
Both the presentations were informative and useful. Dr Bhandari said that out of 250 children, one suffers from autism. He said that Manasa is the first institute in the surrounding districts that has started the Autism Centre. He pointed out various signs among the children which indicate that the child is autistic. It is important for the parents to consult the doctors and accept the reality so that early intervention can be made in order to help the child to live a near normal life. He further said that autism is not a disability but a different ability.
Dr Sumita Rege highlighted different types of therapies that could help autistic children to overcome their autistic behaviour.