World Reach - India

Autism school in India and Heartspring, sister schools

Merry Barua from India Prior to 2000, autism did not “exist” in the eyes of the government in India. When Merry Barua’s son, now almost 27, was diagnosed with autism in 1984, she dedicated herself to providing him with an education, as well as other children with autism in India as there were no other resources available. Merry’s program, Action for Autism, supports the Open Door School for children with autism, and the National Centre for Advocacy, Research and Training. There are nearly 4 million people in India with autism, yet only 20 schools serving this population, the first started by Merry in the mid 1990s.

Merry is a 2007 recipient of the Heartspring Award for Innovation and Creativity in Special Education and participated in the Heartspring Summer Session with five other winners July 6-9, discussing ways to improve special education and resources around the world.

As a result of her positive experience with Heartspring, she has agreed to a sister school relationship with Heartspring, offering the opportunity for additional support through a cultural and informational exchange between Heartspring staff and the teachers at Action for Autism. In 2005, Heartspring entered its first sister organization agreement with Stars and Rain Institute for Autism in Beijing, China.

“Having the opportunity to collaborate with Merry and Action for Autism significantly raises Heartspring’s ability to change the lives of children with special needs worldwide. She is a remarkable woman whose commitment to special education has provided resources and training to families in India and surrounding countries. Working together, along with other organizations in Europe and Asia, we can disseminate knowledge to those around the world seeking a better life for children with special needs,” said Gary Singleton, Heartspring President and CEO.

Contact information:

Merry Barua
Open Door Action for Autism
Sector 5 Jasola Vihar, Behind Sai Niketan
New Delhi, INDIA 110025
Phone: 91 11 40540991
Email: actionforautism@gmail.com
Website: http://www.autism-india.org/index.html

India Institute of Speech and Hearing Mysore

In 1965 the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing, then named as the All India Institute of Logopedics, was established in partnership with Heartspring’s founder Dr. Martin Palmer to meet the long felt need to serve the speech and hearing handicapped in India. The foundation stone for the AIISH building was laid by the then President of India, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, on July 25, 1966. AIISH was made a registered Society in October 1966, governed by an Executive Council; it is the financed by the government of India through the Minister of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi.

Since its inception, AIISH has made rapid strides in achieving the objectives enshrined in the Memorandum of Association. New units, sections, departments, have been added from time to time.

Contact information:
Director
All India Institute of Speech and Hearing,
ManasaGangotri,
Mysore - 570 006.
Phone : +91(821)514449
Fax : +91(821)510515
E-mail: dir@aiish.ernet.in
Website: http://www.mylibnet.org/aiish.html