PUNE: An early intervention centre for children with autism, developmental delays and learning disabilities has been inaugurated recently at Baner Road branch of ‘Innocent Times Childcare,’ a preschool and childcare service centre. The initiative has been started by Dr Archana Kadam, a renowned developmental pediatrician.

It will support and provide counselling facilities to parents and access to occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, play therapy, remediation, aqua therapy and clinical assessment under one roof.

The centre has eminent doctors and therapists on its panel including Dr Chanchal Agarwal, an occupational therapist, Dr Sanyogita Nadkarni, a child psychologist, and Dr Ankita Sanghavi, an educationist, special educator and founder of Innocent Times.

“Children on the Autism spectrum, high-risk category and special needs, who undergo an early intervention programme, show significant improvement in IQ, social interaction and language ability. The benefits and positive impacts of the intervention are maximised when the programme is started as soon as the toddler is diagnosed,” said Agarwal.

“It is important that we appreciate the talents and abilities of these children, guide them through their challenges and build a community that treats them with respect,” added Sanghavi.