Kohima: A child in Dimapur once struggled to communicate, relying on tantrums to be understood. Today, that same child uses words independently. This progress comes from consistent behavioral intervention at Künri, a facility in Chümoukedima providing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) services.
Beni Seb, a Qualified Behavior Analyst, launched the centre to provide local access to therapies previously unavailable in Nagaland. She studied psychology and completed training at the Anderson Center for Autism in New York. She saw how these programs transformed lives. Seb returned home to fill the gap in specialized care.
"Simply put, ABA is an evidence-based practice that helps individuals to learn meaningful skills, understand why a behavior happens and reduce challenging behaviors that may be interfering in learning or in daily lives," Seb says. The centre tailors plans to meet the specific needs and cultural values of each family.
The team works with children aged 2 to 12 and adolescents. They treat autism, Down Syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. Staff perform an initial assessment to create individual goals. They track every step with data. If a strategy fails, they adjust it. Sessions happen at the centre, at home, or online.
Parental involvement remains vital. Teachers train caregivers to apply these methods in daily routines, from mealtimes to cultural events. Künri plans to start a two-month parent training program this July to keep learning going beyond clinical hours. Despite this, the field faces hurdles in Northeast India. Public awareness is low and costs remain a burden for many local families.
Seb advocates for better government funding and insurance coverage to lower these barriers. She envisions a future where families across Nagaland can easily access professional support. For now, the team celebrates the small victories. One learner mastered waiting for preferred activities. Another started greeting relatives independently at family gatherings. These moments define their work.
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