Background

xResearch has observed a naturally occurring variation in human perception, experience, and cognition with respect to the world. Termed ‘neurodiversity’, this condition exists on a spectrum and is now considered to encompass what were previously only considered neurodevelopmental disorders.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Dyslexia, Dysgraphia; people with these conditions—and that includes children—are said to be neurodivergent. Many of them struggle with socializing and expressing themselves. 

In India, survey research suggests that nearly 2 million Indians and 1 in 8 Indian children between the ages of 2–9 are neurodivergent. However, such research is likely to undercount the actual number of neurodivergent folks amongst us due to either logistical challenges with surveys in large countries like India or people being hesitant to respond to mental health surveys in a climate with significant mental health stigma.

Such a large group of children run the risk of not being catered to by existing teaching styles. This makes using styles specific to neurodivergent children vital. Research indicates that alternative pedagogical approaches involving art can have wide-ranging benefits spanning cognitive, emotional, and social development—especially for children from underserved communities.

Aangan Arts Collective (AAC) arose out of this need to empower the neurodivergent children from such communities. AAC aims to remove barriers to research and implement alternative pedagogies using tools based in the arts.

Sources:

• https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1093290

• https://www.deccanherald.com/science/unlocking-neurodiverse-potential-3508362#:~:text=A%20recent%20Nimhans%20study%20states,cent%20to%2018%20per%20cent.

• https://www.nurturers.in/blog/art-therapy-for-autism-benefits-communication/