What Makes A Good Autism Center?

So what makes a good Autism Center?

Many factors play a part in making an Center for Autism complete, here are the main ones:

1. Affiliation with a Hospital: Most Autism Centers are either run by Hospitals or have some sort of affiliation with them. Simply because such center are part of the Health Care Industry, sadly in Pune the are part of the "Cottage Industry".
2. The Professionals: Leading with a Psychiatrist the teaching staff should comprise of a Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapists, Speech Therapists and special needs educators. These professional should be based at the center and be accessable to the kids and the parents on a daily basis. Having these people only mentioned in glossy brochures and on websites is not enough.
   
3. Additional Therapists: To help the children along their way and aid the work done by the people mentioned above therapists for Music, Dance e.t.c should available to work with the kids.
4. An exclusive premises: Due to the nature of an Autism Center a dedicated premises is a must i.e. not in someone's living room.
   
5. A Cheerful and hygienic environment: An environment that provides a warm and friendly and secure vibe to the children is a must.

Many of the people in India might say that these points are not possible in a developing nation like ours. To such readers let me point out that along with world class highways, malls, airports and the lot, world class health care and special needs child care is also an eventuality and not an optional extra.