Sense Kaleidoscopes: India’s Pioneering Life and Art Academy for Autism

“To awaken creativity is to awaken life itself.”

Sense Kaleidoscopes provides a unique solution for neurodivergent youth with ASD. By combining art-based education with life skills training, we empower students to develop their artistic talents and earn livelihoods. This approach breaks the cycle of exclusion by fostering cognitive, emotional, and vocational growth, leading to greater independence and self-advocacy.

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Overview

Information on this page is provided by the innovator and has not been evaluated by HundrED.

Web presence

2013

Established

100

Children

1

Countries

Target group

Other

Updated

October 2024

Our innovation envisions an education system where creative expression is not only a tool for personal growth but also a pathway to livelihoods and independence. We aim for education to be a space where every learner thrives—academically, emotionally, and socially—with holistic support extending into families and communities, reducing stigma and exclusion.

About the innovation

Why did you create this innovation?

80-85% of adults with ASD are unemployed, and in countries like India, vocational opportunities are unlikely. While India seeks inclusion, there's no clear implementation process, and outdated pedagogy excludes many children, causing cognitive regression. Mildly autistic children face mental illness and intellectual disabilities, wasting their potential. This is why we created Sense Kaleidoscopes.

What does your innovation look like in practice?

SK is a neuroaffirmative arts-based education program, offering India’s first autism-specific BFA curriculum. Our extensive arts program includes Visual Arts, Sculpture, Theatre, and Culinary Arts, focusing on creative expression, life skills, and career development. The "Create and Earn" model allows autistic artists to gain financial independence through commissions, sales, and merchandise. SK provides scholarships, studio spaces, and gallery representation to foster long-term artistic careers.

We train educators and support staff, build inclusive communities, and promote neurodivergent success stories. Through data-driven methods, we track student progress and validate our curriculum’s impact, ensuring replicability across India. Our holistic approach empowers individuals to achieve self-sufficiency, artistic growth, and social inclusion, while offering ongoing support for those with severe challenges.

How has it been spreading?

SK is expanding through technology-driven impact tracking, monitoring student progress and cognitive development. Collaborating with corporates, universities and medical community, SK runs pilot programs, publishes research, and advocates for inclusive policy changes. Our "earn while you learn" model helps students gain financial independence through real-world projects. Community events, holistic healing clubs, and advocacy networks foster inclusive environments and spread awareness of neurodivergent potential. With a replicable model, strong partnerships, and data-driven methods, SK is scaling nationwide to provide holistic solutions for education, livelihoods, and mental well-being for neurodivergent individuals.

If I want to try it, what should I do?

You can reach out to explore partnerships, participate in pilot programs, or engage with our teacher training. We offer consultancy to help adapt our neuro-affirmative model to your context and create inclusive spaces. You can also collaborate on scaling our "earn while you learn" model. Join us in advocacy, events, and research to implement SK’s innovative practices in your organisation.

Media

Sense Kaleidoscopes - An Academy for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome celebrates a significant achievement with the successful publication of a paper in the esteemed Journal of Psychosocial Research, hosted by Prints Publications Pvt Ltd. This accomplishment stands as a testament to the quality and impact of our work in the Arts Education for Autism.

We are proud to announce the publication of a paper by our dedicated PhD student, Rujutha Divekar, from the Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University. Her work on neurodiversity has been accepted in the UGC-Care listed journal Bharatiya Shiksha Shodh Patrika (ISSN 0970-7603), Vol. 42, No. 1 (II), July-December 2023.

Sense Kaleidoscopes has been honoured with the prestigious Award of Excellence for Equity and Inclusion at the 3rd Cycle of the Zairi International Awards for Excellence in Higher Education! In the presence of H.E. Ohood Khalan Al Roumi, UAE Minister for Government Development and the Future, this incredible recognition was revealed during the closing session of the 6th MENA Higher Education Leade

This article highlights the Kochi-Muziris Biennale featuring autistic artists, including students from Sense Kaleidoscopes. A parent emphasizes how art helps reduce stigma and empowers autistic youth.

This article features Sense Kaleidoscopes students, including Rohit Anand, who exhibited their work at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. It highlights how SK empowers autistic youth to express their potential through art.

This article highlights Adarsh Shetty, an autistic artist who has developed his talents at Sense Kaleidoscopes. Thanks to SK's training, Adarsh has made significant progress in both his artwork and personality.

This article highlights the Not Just Art gallery at UNESCO House, showcasing the works of disabled artists, including Rohit Anand from Sense Kaleidoscopes, who won the Discovering Ability Art Award.

This article features five autistic students from Sense Kaleidoscopes whose artwork was displayed at the Outsider Art Show in Paris, showcasing how art empowers them to break stereotypes and achieve independence.

This article features the Outsider Art exhibition in Paris, showcasing works by autistic teens and adults. It highlights how the exhibition helps mainstream their expressive abilities and promotes sustainable livelihoods.

This article highlights the participation of nine autistic young adults in the Outsider Art exhibition at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale. Their works showcase their artistic talents and offer them the chance to earn a livelihood through art, aiming to change perceptions about autism and promote inclusion.

This article features Ayush, a student of Sense Kaleidoscopes, showcasing his artwork and highlighting how art helps autistic individuals communicate, express themselves, and develop vocational skills.

This article highlights Sense Kaleidoscopes (SK) and its founder Akshayee Shetty's work in supporting autistic children through art. It focuses on Ayush Bhambhani's exhibit at Rangoli Art Centre, showcasing the transformative role of art and sensory engagement in autism therapy, and the challenges faced by families.

The article highlights the Outsider Art show at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, featuring 64 artworks by 38 young autistic artists. Organized by Ajai Vadakkath, the exhibition showcases the talents of neurodivergent individuals and promotes awareness of creative expressions beyond traditional norms.

This article, titled "Shades of Brilliance," features adolescents on the autism spectrum who showcased their art at the Rangoli Metro Art Center in Bangalore. Their work impressed both professional artists and gallery owners, highlighting the potential of neurodivergent individuals. The event demonstrated the power of art in fostering self-expression and confidence.

Rohit. Anand, a student at SK wins UNESCO award and bags Rs.50,000/-

Akshayee, upon her return from Scotland, aimed to establish a unique space for autism in Bangalore, as covered by the Times of India, Bangalore.

The first article that introduced Bangalore to the potential of using art as a tool to help autistic individuals realize their full potential.

Implementation steps

Step 1: Connect with SK

SK has a replicable model which involves a neuro-affirmative, strength-based curriculum tailored to the needs of neurodivergent individuals. This curriculum is designed to be adaptable, allowing it to fit within various educational and cultural contexts. Reach out to explore how this curriculum and programs can be adapted to your specific context. Discuss your needs and explore opportunities for collaboration, including pilot programs.

Step 2: Participate in Pilot Programs

Join SK’s pilot programs to understand how the curriculum functions in diverse environments. Pilot programs serve as proof of concept, allowing for adjustments before full-scale implementation. Use the results to advocate for broader adoption within your community or institution.

Step 3: Undergo Teacher Training & Build Capacity

Enrol educators in SK’s teacher training programs to equip them with the methodologies and skills required to support neurodivergent students while effectively implementing the curriculum which will be essential to replicate the model in different spaces. Additionally, implement a train-the-trainer model, where trained educators can further train others, ensuring a multiplier effect in scaling the model.

Step 4: Set Up Inclusive Classrooms

Design autism-specific classrooms with a teacher-student ratio of 1:3 or 1:5. Use the tested curriculum, structured with creative and vocational skills in mind, and adapt the program to your local needs. Prepare the learning environment to support cognitive and emotional development.

Step 5: Implement the "Create and Earn" Model

Introduce SK’s "Create and Earn" model, offering real-world work opportunities through commissions, sales, and corporate projects. This not only helps students develop artistic talents but also provides financial independence. As the program scales, set up artist collectives and workspaces to ensure sustained career opportunities.

Step 6: Leverage Technology for Impact Tracking

Integrate technology-driven tools to track student progress, behaviour, and cognitive and creative development. Use data to refine instruction and report on outcomes. This data can be shared with stakeholders and researchers, ensuring continuous feedback loops and better medical interventions when necessary.

Step 7: Expand via EdTech and Online Platforms

You will be able to leverage an EdTech platform to make SK’s adaptable curriculum accessible to a wider audience. We are in the process of developing an AI-driven online program that can be used by teachers to ensure learning and skill-building opportunities. This will allow scaling beyond geographical boundaries, making SK’s model globally accessible.

Step 8: Engage the Community and Build Advocacy Networks

Host community events, create holistic healing clubs, and develop advocacy networks to raise awareness and engage stakeholders. These networks encourage understanding and destigmatization of autism, helping to create inclusive environments. Advocacy networks can also drive policy changes that make SK’s approach mandatory in educational institutions.

Step 9: Collaborate with Universities, Medical Experts, and Research Partners

Form partnerships with universities, medical professionals, and research institutions to validate SK’s model. Collaborating with these stakeholders helps gather unbiased data to further refine the curriculum and inform policy. Ongoing research can also help demonstrate impact, aiding in scaling efforts across other regions.

Step 10: Learn from the Center of Excellence and Replicate the Model

SK is already a centre of excellence in neuro-affirmative education, serving as a model for other institutions to follow. By focusing on building infrastructure, creating neuroinclusive classrooms, and replicating tested methods, SK can be scaled nationwide. This model will act as a reference for other schools or organizations looking to replicate the success of SK’s neuro-affirmative arts program.

Step 11: Advocate for Policy Changes

We intend to work with government bodies and other stakeholders to push for policy changes that recognize and support neuro-affirmative education. Integrating SK’s model into national education frameworks will ensure long-term sustainability and wider adoption, securing financial and structural support from the state.

Step 12: Build a Neuro-Inclusive Campus as a Model for Replication

Establish a neuro-inclusive campus as a showcase and research hub for SK's neuro-affirmative practices. This space will feature artist working studios, theatre space, art gallery, cafés, and an organized farming environment, promoting eco-sustainability. The campus will serve as a blueprint for replicable models across regions, demonstrating how sustainable, inclusive spaces help neurodivergent individuals thrive and maintain long-term well-being.