The Conversations of Hope series showcases personal stories from individuals sharing their own journeys with mental health.
This episode features a conversation with the incredible Chitra Paul where she talks about mental health struggles of autistic individuals and the caregivers at the backdrop of her own journey with her son, as a parent and as a caregiver.
Her journey from a parent to that of a parent advocate for inclusion and neurodiversity and an ally of the autistic community has been filled with mixed experiences. Chitra delves into the complexities of Autism, covering aspects such as diagnosis, support networks, and the challenges faced. She talks about the mental health issues that autistic individuals may encounter, along with the emotional impact on caregivers, parents and families as they navigate through all of this and ways for taking care of their own mental wellness.
Chitra is a parent advocate for participatory inclusion and neurodiversity. She is a Mother to a non-speaking autistic young adult who is also a self-advocate for his community of non-speakers. She is supporting several initiatives in the autism and special needs space. Chitra is also the co-founder and the director of the "Allinclusive Foundation” (Not for Profit), dedicated to creating such inclusive spaces. At present she is the India Lead, Institute of Neurodiversity (ION).
This content is not designed to provide advice and should not be considered a replacement for professional mental health assistance. If you are in distress or worried about another person's mental well-being, please reach out to your local or national helpline or the nearest healthcare provider for help.
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