About the Guest:
Chitra Paul
Co-Founder & Director, Allinclusive Foundation
India Lead, Institute of Neurodiversity (ION)

Chitra is a strong advocate for participatory inclusion and the power of neurodiversity. She considers herself an Ally of the Autistic Community and is extremely passionate about communication inclusion. She firmly believes in the power of lived experiences and the need to include autistic individuals in all aspects of life, including but not limited to those concerning them. She strives to follow the tenet – “Nothing about us, without us!” in every sphere of her life, professional and personal.

Chitra completed her MA in Special Ed and Inclusion from the University of Northampton, UK, and her work involves training special educators and empowering parents. Being trained in the philosophy of Social Role Valorization greatly influences her work; she occasionally contributes as an Associate Faculty for Keystone Institute India. She is also trained in the practice of Narrative Therapy which she uses in her work to support parents of children with autism.

Allinclusive Foundation is an organization that Chitra Co-Founded. The organisation based in Bangalore works to change environments to make inclusion a reality. The role she considers most precious and the one that constantly inspires her, though, is that of being a parent to her 19-year-old autistic son.

Social Media Links:

www.linkedin.com/in/chitrapaul
https://allinclusivefoundation.org/home/
https://ioneurodiversity.org/

In This Episode

🌍 Breaking Barriers in Inclusion & Neurodiversity 🌍
In this episode of Just Your Normal Missfit, I sit down with Chitra Paul, Co-Founder & Director of Allinclusive Foundation and India Lead, Institute of Neurodiversity (ION).

As a parent and advocate for neurodivergent individuals, Chitra shares her journey raising a non-speaking autistic son, navigating early diagnosis, and building a community of support.

We dive deep into:
✅ The emotional journey of receiving an autism diagnosis
✅ The importance of alternative communication methods
✅ Creating truly inclusive spaces at home, school, and work
✅ The role of technology in supporting neurodivergent individuals
✅ The Gendered Impact on Caregivers
✅ The ‘disappearance’ of neurodivergent individuals with high support from society as they grow older

This episode talks about normalising disability and questioning the way we look at productivity.