KIMS- Celebrating Differences: World Autism Acceptance Month.

The Department of Pediatrics, KIMS, Karad, celebrated World Autism Acceptance Month in April 2025 with a series of engaging activities under this year’s theme, "Celebrate Differences." On 2nd April 2025, World Autism Awareness Day, a Handmade Poster Competition was organized, with active participation from medical, physiotherapy, and nursing students. The posters were evaluated by esteemed judges including Dr. Yugantara R. Kadam, Dean of KIMS, Karad; Dr. Anil Bhoi, HOD of Pediatrics; Dr. Mandar Ramesh Malawade, HOD of Pediatrics Physiotherapy; Dr. Vasantmeghna Murthy, Associate Professor of Psychiatry; Dr. Sabu Richard Abraham; and Dr. Leya Sara Samuel from the Department of Pediatrics. An interdepartmental Quiz on Autism was held on 10th April 2025, conducted by Dr. Leya Sara Samuel and moderated by Dr. Vinod Choudhary, Professor of Pediatrics, with enthusiastic participation from residents of Pediatrics, Psychiatry, and Physiotherapy. On 16th April 2025, an awareness program for healthcare workers was organized, which began with an inaugural ceremony followed by prize distribution for the poster and quiz competitions. The program featured insightful talks on "Introduction to Autism" by Dr. Parvathy Balakrishnan, "Role of Psychiatry in Autism" by Dr. Vasantmeghna Murthy, "Counselling and Psychotherapy" by Dr. Shailaja Patil, and "Autism and Physiotherapy" by Dr. Mandar Ramesh Malawade. The event was well attended by faculty members, nursing staff, medical students, nursing students, and physiotherapy students, contributing to a greater understanding and acceptance of autism.