State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) conducted a workshop in collaboration with Künrin, ABA Centre for Autism Dimapur, and Jo Foundation Inclusive School (JFIS) Kohima on the theme “Understanding behaviour from a compassionate lens: Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) & Autism” at SCERT, Kohima, commemorating Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month on April 18.
Delivering the keynote address, vice principal and head ICT & Inclusive Education, SCERT, Daniel Thong Seb, said it was a privilege for the department to collaborate with NGOs to foster proper understanding of behavioural challenges faced by special children at home and in schools. He stressed that workshops of this nature were the need of the hour, as children under the autism spectrum deserve respect and not mistreatment.
Resource person, Beni Seb Chishi, a qualified Behaviour Analyst, introduced the concept of autism and explained its wide-ranging symptoms, noting that it is referred to as a spectrum. She pointed out that individuals with autism are often misunderstood due to communication difficulties, but when their behaviour is viewed through a compassionate lens, the gap lessens and communication becomes possible.
During the interactive session, parents, teachers and professionals raised questions, including how to respond when a child cries non-stop or throws tantrums. Chishi advised that immediate reactions such as giving materials or carrying the child should be avoided, and instead one should pause to assess whether the behaviour stems from attention-seeking or other factors.
Around 50 participants attended the workshop, comprising therapists, special educators, parents, teachers and researchers from different schools and NGOs.
