FAQs
The minimum age for joining AVC is 18 years.
The minimum age for joining AVC is 18 years. Aadhaar is a workplace. Placement in Aadhaar is dependent on the young adults having basic independent work skills, and in having independent ADLS such as eating, dressing – including managing clothes, zippers, waistbands etc independently; toileting – including indicating toilet needs, going to the toilet, cleaning self; amongst others.
Additional skills that is essential for admission to Aadhaar:
* Basic Functional Communication: Ability to express basic needs like going to the toilet, asking for water, break, snack, etc.
* Ability to follow simple instructions
* Attending to given work for at least 10 minutes
* Working in a group of up to three
* Having basic vocational skills in place
The working hours for AVC is currently from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Interns at Aadhaar have a snack break at 11:00am and lunch break at 1:30pm. This is subject to change.
A wide range of products are made at the AVC. Depending on the individual intern's strengths and interests, jobs are earmarked for the intern. An intern with good fine motor skills could be involved in making handmade jewelry or in activities that involve stitching. One interested in cooking may spend time in helping out at the AFA bakery and so on. However, each of the interns also get an opportunity to be involved in a variety of tasks, on a daily basis, so as to increase their repertoire of skills and enable them to work across different jobs at the AVC.
If an adult with autism has the requisite skill sets; AVC does offer an option of outsourcing some jobs. Taking into consideration on the skill levels, training and rate of work of the adult concerned, AVC provides materials for productsthat the individual can make at home and give back the pre-determined number of finished products by a mutually agreed time. For an option like this, the materials for the job need to be collected from AFA and the finished products need to be delivered to AFA, too.
Depending on the product being made, the skill levels of and the training received by the adult, the interns at the AVC handle a number of machinery like looms, perforation machines, paper cutters, interlock machines and so on. The interns who work at the AFA bakery unit also use the gas stove, baking and microwave oven and other equipment necessary for the products made at the bakery unit.
Appropriate leisure skills and activities are an important learning for most people with autism and hence the same are emphasised upon at the AVC. Based on the adults' interests, they can spend their leisure time using tablets, smart phones, listening to music, going through magazines etc. They may also take walks around the lawn at AFA and some of them chooseto stay at the AFA reception where they get an opportunity to interact with visitors. All leisure time incorporate the elements of structured teaching to encourage independence, decrease any kind of anxiety caused by lack of predictability and facilitate smoother transitions back to work.
An applicant may register for admission in the AVC at the front office at the National Centre for Autism. Admission is offered based on the vacancies available and the particular adult's profile following a functional assessment.
We continuously strive to increase the number of adults with autism who can be part of the AVC and currently we have 14 adults enrolled at the AVCfor a term.
There are several other programmes for adults across the spectrum that address different needs and strengthen various skills that can be accessed in addition to/besides the vocational programme. Click here to read more about more services offered at AFA.
The fee structure for the AVC is available at the front office.
The underlying philosophy of the AVC is in tandem with AFA's firm belief that every individual has capacity and gainful employment that harnesses the individual's unique strengths is a right of every adult with autism, irrespective of the degree of their support needs. With this philosophy in mind, the AVC supports adults with autism to develop their vocational and work skills to the best of their individual potential, enhancing their independence, self-reliance, and self-worth.
Interns at the AVC often carry their meals to the workplace, since meals are not provided at AVC.In addition there is a cafeteria on the premises, where hot breakfast and lunch is prepared and can be purchased.
Yes, if intellectual impairment co-exists along with Autism in an adult, then admission would be considered. In addition, despite the fact that the facilities at the AVC are especially designed for adults with autism, we do offer placements to adults with a diagnosis of only intellectual impairment, should they meet our eligibility criteria after the functional assessment.
Transportation can be provided for intern living near the centre. There are also particular pickup points available for interns who live in certain parts of the NCR. For more information on the same, please contact us.
No, the AVC is a day programme, not a residential one.
