Mysuru:  A two-day National Seminar on ‘Traversing the frontiers of main stream with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)’ organised jointly by Department of Special Education and All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH) began yesterday at the seminar hall of Academic block in AIISH premises in city.

Over 100 professionals and trainees in the fields of speech and hearing, special education, psychology and social work from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are participating in the seminar. Experienced professionals and caregivers will deliberate on handling persons with ASD through presentations and demonstrations.

Inaugurating the programme, Dr. Prathibha Karanth, Director, COMDEALL, Bengaluru recalled her long association with AIISH.

Presiding over the function AIISH In-charge Director Dr. Asha Yathiraj opined that children with ASD should be motivated by parents and special teachers. She appealed parents not to treat such kids as curse. She contended that autistic children too can evolve good ideas sometimes and hence should be monitored closely.

HOD of special education Dr. M. Pushpavathi and others were present on the occasion.