Speakers spoke on the importance of sensory integration and behaviour management of autistic children at a workshop organised by non-government organisation Utkarsh Seva Sansthan on its premises on Tuesday.

Aamrapali Lahiri, a social activist associated with the Delhi-based NGO Milestone, which works for the autistic children, was the main speaker on the occasion.

She said: "Autistic children may have difficulty in processing their sensory information such as textures, sounds, smells, tastes, brightness and movement. These difficulties can make ordinary situations feel overwhelming. As such, they can interfere with daily function and even isolate individuals and their families. For example, you can find an autistic child continuously jumping or touching things."

"Sensory integration of autistic child means they can be engaged in activities which can help ease their sensory difficulties in ways that improve daily function. Such as if some autistic child is enjoying touching things, he/she can be provided works such as they can be asked to wash clothes, apply cream on their skin. They would get pleasure out of such activities."

Utkarsh Seva Sansthan Secretary Manisha Krishna talked about the behavioural management of autistic children. "Parents' awareness and empowerment are very important for autistic children as they spend most of their time with their parents. So parents should know how to handle the behavioural changes among autistic kids."

"Such as if an autistic child doesn't want to study sometime, their parents should let them do what they want to do. They shouldn't interfere because this will irritate them. It would also be better if parents try to access what triggers the particular behaviour of their autistic child and what does he/she was getting from it so that they can further use the information to make necessary changes."