What should you know about Autism?

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What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disability that affects how a person communicates, learns, behaves, and interacts with others.

A developmental disability refers to any condition resulting from impairments in physical, learning, language, or behavioral areas.

Autism is often referred to as a “spectrum disorder” because there is a wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms experienced by individuals. No two people with autism are the same — each person has unique strengths and challenges.

World Autism Awareness Day

Every year, April 2 is recognized internationally as World Autism Awareness Day — a day dedicated to increasing understanding, acceptance, and support for individuals with autism and their families.

Organizations in India Supporting Individuals with Autism

Action for Autism – Delhi
Assisted Living for Autistic Adults – Bangalore
Adarsh Charitable Trust – Cochin
SVM Rehabilitation Centre – Jaipur
Ummed – Mumbai
Vatsalyam – Chennai
Assam Autistic Foundation – Assam
Utkarsh – Patna
Autism Society West Bengal – Kolkata

How to Approach Someone with Autism

Be Kind and Gentle:

A little kindness goes a long way. Even if you don’t fully understand their behavior, remain calm, respectful, and gentle.
Encourage and Reassure:

Avoid questioning their capabilities. Instead, focus on optimism and positive reinforcement — an encouraging comment or compliment can make a big difference.
Be Patient with Communication:

Individuals with autism may find it difficult to express how they feel. Don’t rush to find the problem — give them time and space to communicate in their own way.
Listen Carefully:

Sometimes they may interpret language literally or misunderstand certain phrases. Listen attentively, and clarify your meaning with patience and care.
Create a Calm Environment:

Try to reduce background noise and lower bright lights — overstimulation can cause discomfort or anxiety.
Understand Stimming:

Many people with autism engage in stimming (repetitive movements or sounds) to manage anxiety or regulate sensory input. If you notice increased movement, gently ask if they need support.
Avoid Misunderstandings:

People with autism are often misunderstood. Stay calm, ask for clarification, and approach every interaction with empathy and openness.

Author: Muskan H.

30 October 2025

What are the benefits of a free consultation?

Getting to know the psychologist: You can talk to the psychologist to see if they are a good fit for you in terms of their work style, personality, and specialization.

Defining the problem: You can describe your problem in detail and get qualified advice from the psychologist, which will help you better understand the nature of your problem.

Developing a plan of action: You can get recommendations on how to solve your problem, which methods and approaches may be the most effective.

Feeling supported: You can get emotional support and feel that you are not alone, because the psychologist will listen to you attentively.

Who is a free consultation suitable for?

Those looking for a psychologist: A free consultation can help you make the right choice, as you can talk to several psychologists before making a final decision.

Those who are unsure whether they need psychotherapy: A free consultation can help you understand whether psychotherapy can help you solve your problem and whether it is right for you.

Those who have a limited budget: A free consultation is an opportunity to get qualified help from a psychologist for free, to see if you need further psychotherapy.

Those who may be nervous or hesitant to start psychotherapy: A free consultation gives you the opportunity to overcome your fear of the first meeting with a psychologist, get answers to your questions, and feel more confident.

Important:

A free consultation is not a substitute for psychotherapy.

In a free consultation, the psychologist cannot give you a final diagnosis or prescribe treatment.

The purpose of a free consultation is to help you determine if a psychologist and psychotherapy are right for you, and to give you the first steps to solving your problem.

Potential benefits of a free initial consultation

During this first session: potential clients have the chance to learn more about you and your approach before agreeing to work together.

Offering a free consultation will help you build trust with the client. It shows them that you want to give them a chance to make sure you are the right person to help them before they move forward. Additionally, you should also be confident that you can support your clients and that the client has problems that you can help them cope with. Also, you can avoid any ethical difficult situations about charging a client for a session in which you choose not to proceed based on fit.

We've found that people are more likely to proceed with therapy after a free consultation, as it lowers the barrier to starting the process. Many people starting therapy are apprehensive about the unknown, even if they've had sessions before. Our culture associates a "risk-free" mindset with free offers, helping people feel more comfortable during the initial conversation with a specialist.

It's important to note that the initial consultation differs from a typical therapy session:

It can last from 15 to 30 minutes, with the specialist determining the appropriate length for this introductory meeting.

The free initial consultation is not intended to be a full therapy session. It is an opportunity for the client to learn more about the specialist and their approach to therapy, and to decide whether they want to work together.

The specialist should set clear boundaries for the free initial consultation, including the length of the session and the topics that can be discussed.

The specialist should be prepared to answer questions from the client about their experience, training, and qualifications.

The specialist should not give specific advice or recommendations during the free initial consultation. This should be done during a paid session.

What should you know about Autism?

What is Autism?

World Autism Awareness Day

Organizations in India Supporting Individuals with Autism

How to Approach Someone with Autism

Be Kind and Gentle:

Encourage and Reassure:

Be Patient with Communication:

Listen Carefully:

Create a Calm Environment:

Understand Stimming:

Avoid Misunderstandings:

What are the benefits of a free consultation?

Who is a free consultation suitable for?

Important:

Potential benefits of a free initial consultation

Another key advantage for Specialist

It's important to note that the initial consultation differs from a typical therapy session: