A Leap into Understanding was an event organized by the Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) in partnership with the Big Leap Foundation in honour of World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) 2025. It aimed to raise awareness of and acceptance of people on the autism spectrum by urging society to accept and value them for who they are.

Since its founding by the UN General Assembly in 2007, WAAD has been instrumental in promoting awareness and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This year, KCC and the Big Leap Foundation went one step further with this initiative, emphasising integration and acceptance instead of awareness alone.

A compelling program of events highlighted the skills and stories of kids on the autism spectrum.

Highlights included:

• Little Steps Daycare kids and other participants showcased their talents and self-expression through group and solo performances.
• One exceptional child talked about his experience learning his mother tongue, which is particularly meaningful for kids with ASD who frequently struggle with language development.
• The views of Sanghamitra Mukherjee and Dr. Aditi Bandopadhyay regarding autism, inclusivity, and acceptance were discussed.
• To promote unity, a special performance by educators and carers was dedicated to parents and students. Additionally, parents were asked to share their experiences, offering insightful perspectives on how to support and raise autistic children.
• A documentary that provided a comprehensive look into the everyday lives of kids on the spectrum and the nurturing environment that fostered their development was shown.

A Leap into Understanding also entailed a leap into creating a society that treats each person with respect and decency.

Priyanka Dutta