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A kindly light shines from Osilmo
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Dr. Sinniah Thevananthan
The Osilmo Autism Centre in Boralesgamuwa where children with autism are treated, is not funded by the government or any other organisation but run solely through the efforts of Dr. Sinniah Thevananthan and therapist Anuradha Ahangama and well-wishers.
Dr. Thevananthan has won awards for his work in the area. Today, a large number of children from the country and countries such as England, Dubai and France are being treated under him. ”We believe in constant and appropriate therapy. Through this the child will gradually improve. Autism, to be treated successfully, should be detected at the age of two or earlier. After this age it is very hard to treat the child,” said Dr. Thevananthan.
He said that parents who come to him were depressed and are in need of counselling themselves. Osilmo tried to keep them positive and help them to improve their child’s condition. Dr Thevananthan’s work has proven successful as children treated at Osilmo are today studying in normal classes in schools.
“We hope to make an autism village one day. With enough facilities and residential care we will be able to treat a large number of children and help them to improve,” he said.