Celebrating Differences Why Caregiver Inclusion and Classroom Reform Matter This April

Mumbai, 01^st April 2025 : India – As April marks Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month, the spotlight turns toward the increasing need for inclusive policies, early intervention, and caregiver well-being. This global observance, initiated in 1970 by the Autism Society of America and anchored by World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd (recognized by the United Nations), calls for deeper societal engagement with the needs of autistic individuals and their families. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Differences,” encourages the embracing of neurodiversity and the creation of inclusive ecosystems across homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.

In this context, Mugdha Kalra’s groundbreaking book, “I See You, I Get You: The Self-Care Guide for Special Needs Parents”, has emerged as an essential resource. Launched during the India

Inclusion Summit and the Indian Neurodiversity Summit in Bangalore, the book is a timely companion for families, educators, and employers alike.

A Book That Begins a Movement

The book speaks directly to the emotional, financial, and social challenges faced by parents of neurodivergent children, particularly in India, where systemic support remains inadequate. Mugdha Kalra—an award-winning broadcast journalist, BBC 100 Women 2021 honoree, and co- founder of Not That Different—draws from her personal experience as a caregiver and her professional expertise in inclusion advocacy.

Through a mix of practical strategies and reflective insights, the book encourages caregivers to prioritize their well-being—not just for themselves, but to better support their children. It also pushes for corporate policies that include caregivers, asserting that empowering caregivers can transform the larger disability ecosystem.

“When corporates hire caregivers, they empower entire families to lead more stable and fulfilling lives and this kind of support ripples out, fostering confidence and independence across the disability community”, Mugdha explains.

About the Author

Mugdha Kalra began her advocacy journey in 2014 after her son was diagnosed with autism and built a platform for inclusion through Not That Different, India’s first child-led neurodiversity movement and resource group for awareness, acceptance and intervention. She is also an award- winning screenwriter and corporate trainer on inclusion and invisible disabilities.

Why This Matters in April and Beyond

With autism diagnoses on the rise in India, public awareness around early red flags and timely intervention is more important than ever. Many families still delay diagnosis due to stigma or

lack of access. This month offers media the opportunity to highlight:

• What autism is and why it’s rising
• Early signs and the importance of intervention
• Real-life experiences of families navigating the system
• Caregiver Inclusion: Creating workplace policies that support families
• Financial Planning for Special Needs Families: Navigating life without government support
• Assisted Living in India: The urgent need for long-term care models for neurodivergent adults
• Inclusive Education: Bridging the gap between policy and practice in classrooms

‘Dhwani’: A Groundbreaking Educator Resource for Inclusive Classrooms

‘Dhwani- Voices of Practitioners Driving Inclusion in Classrooms’ is a handy resource for every teacher by Not That Different, the neurodiversity advocacy vertical of Bookosmia.

Bookosmia (smell of books) is India’s No.1 publisher ‘for kids, by kids’ . Publishing thousands of young minds every year from 145+ locations worldwide, running India’s first live podcast by

kids and teens and leading a pioneering child-led movement to embrace neurodiversity and spread awareness of mental health issues amongst adolescents, under the banner of Not That Different.

Dhwani is an outcome of educators who have spent decades in making accomodations for children with diverse needs. It equips teachers with strategies to handle everyday scenarios,

acknowledges the need for the teacher’s own mental well-being as they take up daunting tasks and gives them the confidence to believe that they can also cater to diverse needs of their students. Pulled together painstakingly by special educator and inclusion champion Shwetha Srivatsan in conversation with veterans from the industry who focus on early education like

Dr.Sumathi Ravindranath chairperson of the Indian Montessori Center and member of Focus group for NEP 2020, Karnataka to Bhargavi Raman, Faculty of Mental Health at Azim Premji University whose inputs on first equipping the teacher with the confidence and

empathy opens the book. It has contributions from education leaders like Champa Saha, founding principal of Samhita Academy set up by Infosys Founder Mr. Shibulal that enrols atleast 20% of underprivileged children to their school, Puja Sood, Head of Alternate Learning Solutions at the International School Greenwood High and Sonali Saini, Founder of Sol’s Arc that partners with state governments of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and more on disability inclusion in their government schools. The resource is powered by EK Step Foundation.

This resource takes the conversation to the next level, beyond knowing that bringing inclusive practices is good for every child in class, not just those with diverse needs and works towards the teachers advantage, not just as a mandate under RPWD act

Deepika Mogilishetty, Chief of Policy and Partnerships, EkStep Foundation, says:

“As you engage with this resource, see it as an invitation to create spaces where every child—no matter their ability—feels seen, feels heard, and simply feels happy every day… It is an invitation to see beyond the labels, beyond the struggles, and into the incredible hearts and minds of children who experience the world differently.”

Bookosmia is run by Nidhi Mira

Nidhi is Founder & CEO of Bookosmia (smell of books)- India’s largest publisher for kids, by kids. An ex-banker who pivoted from a 10-year banking career to her, quitting as a VP in HSBC to pivot to entrepreneurship. Nidhi is a Maths (Hons) graduate from LSR, DU and an MBA from IIM Lucknow.