Srinagar, April 2: Child Guidance & Wellbeing Centre (CGWC) at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Government Medical College Srinagar, observed World Autism Awareness Day with a vibrant and heart-warming programme at SMHS Hospital, reaffirming its commitment to inclusive and evidence-based care for children with neurodevelopment disorders.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah, Principal/Dean of GMC Srinagar, who attended the programme as the Guest of Honour. She appreciated the centre’s dedicated efforts in delivering accessible, equitable, and high-quality mental healthcare to vulnerable populations. In a heartening gesture, she distributed specially curated therapeutic gift sets among the children, fostering encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Mohammad Ashraf Hakak, Administrator, GMC & Associated Hospitals, highlighted the pivotal role of IMHANS in strengthening tertiary-level mental healthcare services and advancing specialized child and adolescent psychiatry in the region. He emphasized the importance of integrating clinical care with community outreach, capacity building, and caregiver engagement to ensure sustainable and outcome-oriented interventions.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Zaid Ahmad Wani, Professor Department of Psychaitry remarked, “Today is not just about awareness, but about acceptance and action. As the only tertiary-care government facility catering to these children, we recognize the magnitude of our responsibility. Our approach focuses on early screening, individualized intervention plans, behavioural therapy, and family-centered care models to optimize developmental outcomes and quality of life.”
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from children and their families, fostering a sense of belonging, emotional resilience, and community support, while reinforcing the institution’s commitment to rights-based and inclusive mental healthcare.
As the lone tertiary-care government facility in the region dedicated to children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental conditions, CGWC-IMHANS continues to serve as a critical centre for comprehensive mental health services. Its approach integrates early diagnosis, multidisciplinary intervention, and psychosocial rehabilitation. The programme revolved around the theme of inclusion and empowerment, bringing together children, parents, and caregivers to celebrate neurodiversity in a supportive and engaging environment.
Moving beyond conventional clinical frameworks, the CGWC team conducted structured, play-based therapeutic interventions rooted in established neurodevelopmental rehabilitation protocols. These included sensory integration therapy aimed at improving sensory modulation and adaptive responses, motor coordination exercises to enhance gross and fine motor planning and neuromuscular control, and visuo-motor (eye-hand coordination) tasks targeting executive functioning, attention, and bilateral integration. These interventions align with globally accepted best practices for managing Autism Spectrum Disorder, promoting functional independence and improved social participation.
At the conclusion of the programme, Prof. (Dr.) Iffat Hassan Shah felicitated the participating children to encourage their efforts and also appreciated the crucial role of parents and caregivers in supporting their developmental journey.
Among other dignitaries present were Medical Superintendent, Dr. Ajaz Baba, along with faculty members and staff of the Department of Psychiatry.