As a mother of a child with Autism, I knew I had been granted an opportunity to realize my strengths and do what it takes to help my child and other children with similar challenges. I recognized that my journey towards making a difference for the community of individuals with disabilities had begun. Firstly I took the experience in the Sankalp in the Indian Navy special school as a volunteer for five years, after that completed my degree in Special Education from Bhoj University and other short-term courses from Pune, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, to understand Autism better. Ten years ago, when I started the AARAMBH Society for the Autistic and Slow Learner Children, there were no facilities for training, treatment, or education for children with disabilities in Aurangabad district. Nine people trusted my vision and came on board to initiate the process.
Being the first special school in the Marathwada region in Maharashtra, the sole purpose was to improve the quality of life of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Slow Learners in the area. The center began with just two children and today we have grown with 67 students who are Autistic and Slow Learners. Today as we embark on a new decade, touching lives and making them better, we look back at our journey that led us to be who we have become.
AARAMBH is a movement that has taken momentum to make lives better for every student with Autism and Slow Learning by providing them with happiness, dignity, security, meaning, and productivity. The holistic approach works to educate, motivate, assist and guide the children, their parents, and the community at large.
Challenges are part of growing up. And AARAMBH had its share too. Even amongst all the difficulties we faced, we strengthened our determination to do more and do better. There was a time when we’re unable to hire a single trained teacher for the school, today we have six of them and the students are coming from all across Maharashtra to take benefit of the Outreach Program. Apart from the school, the vocational center currently has 10 students under training who receive a stipend from the organization for their work, into their own bank accounts.
Our struggles have given us the scope to understand our strengths. Our achievements have given us hope to know how much more we can do. With the intention to do more, and with the support of my team, we are stepping into our next decade of work.