Mrs. Kavita Sharma
Founder Director, Project Prayas
Founder Member, Vice President (NORTH), Autism Society of India
Special Educator, Autism and Related disorders
Email: kavitasharma.prayas@gmail.com
Phone: 08826654911
Kavita Sharma is a member of Executive Council of Autism Society of India; she has been a mother of two sons with Autism Spectrum Disorders; while recognizing the need of parent training, she trained herself to become a special educator and since then she has been actively involved with organizations like Spastics Society of Karnataka, KPAMRC in various capacities.
Presently she is heading ‘PRAYAS’, a computer and iPad Training Center for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
COMPETENCY
- Specialized in Pre vocational and Vocational Programs for individuals with Autism and related disorders
- Detailed Program planning for vocational intervention
- Training in areas of Communication / Learning Strategies for parents and teachers
- Developed an innovative training programme for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders through Computers and iPad which leads to effective early intervention and caters to the skills related to employability
TEACHING / SEMINARS
- Presently heading a project called Prayas, which deals with the Computer and iPad Training for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders; supported by SAP labs India Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore and in collaboration with Spastics Society of Karnataka
- Visiting faculty for the RCI Diploma in Special Education [Autism ] for Spastics Society of Karnataka, Bangalore and KPAMRC, Bangalore for topics including Challenging Behaviors and Vocational Training [2003 – current]
- Conducted several workshops and seminars on various aspects of Prevention of Disability while worked in an NGO called Foundation for the Prevention of Disability (Year 2006 – 2011)
- Participated as a panel member at the National Conference on Autism “REDEFINING AUTISM”, January, 2008, Bangalore
- Had been a member of Assistive Technology Committee member of Spastics Society of Karnataka, organized the International Conference on AT in July 2010. Developed the compendium on Assistive Technology for the same conference
- Presented a paper on Technology and Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Global Autism Convention held at Bangalore in May 2011
- Conducted several iPad workshops for parents and professionals working in the field of ASD
- Conducted orientation seminars for the management of SAP Test Center Team, Bangalore on the management of Individuals with ASD in the work place
- Worked on the project related to the successful placement of three individuals with ASD in Open Employment situation
AWARENESS / ADVOCACY
- Founder member of Autism Society of India
- Editor of newsletter, VISION, published by SAI; Society for Autistics in India[1994-1997]
- Active contributor on several e –discussion relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Coordinated and participated in several Autism Awareness programs for the public including walks and seminars
- Conducted Autism Awareness Programs at Mainstream Schools to identify kids with ASD in their early stages of life through “PLAY” as a developmental area
RELAVENT TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS
- Master of Science in Chemistry, (1983), Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, MP
- Bachelor of Education, (1984), Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, MP
- 1 year PG Diploma in Special Education [MR] from Dilkhush Teacher’s Training Institute, Juhu, Mumbai,[1992-1993]
- Trained in Block Printing from the Ministry of Textile and Design, Bangalore, (1999)
- Certificate course in Inclusion from Bangalore University, (2005)
- Making sense of senses[SIT], Carol Stock Kranowitz, Chennai, Sep 2009