Surat, April 2 — On April 2, various awareness programs were organized at New Civil Hospital in Surat to mark World Autism Awareness Day. This year marked the 19th World Autism Day, which has been observed annually since 2008 to raise awareness about autism.
The event was enthusiastically organized by the District Early Intervention Center (DEIC) at New Civil Hospital under the guidance of the Gujarat government's Health and Family Welfare Department. The main objective of the program was to raise awareness among parents of children with autism about the importance of early diagnosis and early treatment.
Activities included a painting competition, musical chairs, and balancing games, in which special children actively participated. These activities aimed to promote concentration and social coordination among the children. At the end of the program, participating children were encouraged with certificates, colors, fruits, and other gifts. Special counseling sessions were also held for parents, where experts provided detailed information about the symptoms of autism, timely identification, and the treatment process.
The DEIC center at New Civil Hospital offers services under the National Child Health Program (RBSK), staffed by a team of specialist doctors, including medical officers, dentists, physiotherapists, special educators, psychologists, staff nurses, as well as speech therapy and hearing services.
The program was attended by Medical Superintendent Dr. Dharitri Parmar, DEIC Manager Dr. Harshita Patel, Nodal Officer Dr. Jignesh Patadia, along with several specialist doctors, nursing staff, and a large number of parents and children. Experts explained that autism is a condition where a child appears normal but exhibits self-centered behavior. Such children can be integrated into mainstream society through timely identification and proper guidance.
