Making breakthroughs in Indian autistic education

We are from Ayathi, a charitable trust set-up with the intent to serve the community of autistics and we run the one of the first schools in this country with autism-specific art & academic programmes.

What are we
trying to solve?

India has one of the most progressive policies in place for inclusion. But we don't have adequate processes to enable these policies. Ignorance, prejudice & lack of adequate professional options have made Autism in India a huge challenge.

Regular schools or alternative schools, although mandated by the government to provide the required support, are unequipped to handle children with Autism.

Solutions for education, livelihood and assisted living are also few & for the most part, inaccessible. The isolation and marginalization of those with Autism is of an alarming degree.

Severe cognitive regression can not only lead to social isolation and mental illnesses, but is also an active inhibitor in building any kind of sustainable livelihood. We need to start somewhere, and begin the journey towards ending this cycle.

Our Founder's

story

Akshayee Shetty

"My whole life I have felt like an outsider"

Today, I am aware that I am a different mind, not less.

However, as a young person, I was overwhelmed by the 'lack' of perspective. Living with fear and swinging between flight, fight or freeze mode is not exactly healthy and so I did develop severe anxiety disorder with depression which I was diagnosed for, much later in my twenties. I have battled anxiety for many years and do so even now.

Being an outsider maybe the real reason why I feel so much at home with Autism.

Meet the team

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