Moneisha Gandhi and Gopika Kapoor had been trying to set up a playdate for their neurodivergent children, Mihaan Gandhi and Vir Kapoor, both 19. (In Pic: Moneisha Gandhi (left) and Gopika Kapoor launched Buddy Up, an app to set up playdates for neurodivergent children)

Both Mihaan and Vir are now a part of the Skill Shakti Community that helps with finding a skill that they are interested in and will make them employable as well. Their mom's efforts resulted in the launch of Buddy Up, an app to connect children with disabilities—be it cognitive or physical—for meet-ups. Buddy Up now has around 1,700 users across India and sees traffic of 500 chats per day. (In Pic: Gopika Kapoor (up) and Moneisha Gandhi, who launched the Buddy Up app to set up playdates for neurodivergent children)

Kapoor's son Vir, who is a high-functioning autistic, while Gandhi's son, who is diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, are the inspirations behind the Buddy Up app (In Pic: (Left) Vir Kapoor and Mihaan Gandhi)

Organised twice a week by Rustom Warden, a physical trainer for over two decades, the bootcamp features physical activities and games such as football, throwball or just run around aimlessly to expend energy that otherwise has no outlet. (In Pic: Special Hangout activities being conducted with ND children and the forum has also become a safe space for their parents)

Special Hangout now has multiple programmes like workshops, art exhibitions, autism seminars, and also facilitated the sale of neurodivergent children’s work at the Kala Ghoda festival. There are also social activities for festive seasons, including Diwali parties, dandiya during Navratri and an upcoming Christmas party on December 18. (In Pic: Sangita Kamdaar with her daughter Shreya at bootcamp)

Among the bootcamp participants is birthday boy Aaryav, who lives with Down’s Syndrome and turned nine years old a week ago, but chose to celebrate with his friends at the camp. At 41, Shreya Kamdaar is the oldest neurodivergent participant at the camp. She is accompanied by her mother, Prof Dr Sangita Kamdaar a retired economics teacher. (In Pic: Aaryav Mehta (l) and Rustom warden, during the bootcamp where the former cut cake for his ninth birthday)

Inspired by his elder brother, the younger Pranit too has now founded a new wing under the initiative—christened Special Buddies—which is a buddy system that pairs ND children with neurotypical kids. (In Pic: The bootcamp session takes place at Oval Maidan every Wednesday and Saturday)