Sareena Kalinani Advocates for Neurodiversity and Autism Awareness-TAPInto Randolph
- Sareena Kalinani
- Oct 3, 2024
- 4 min read
By Matthew Pfouts
Published September 26, 2024 at 1:00 PM
RANDOLPH, NJ- According to Rutgers University, “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the fastest growing developmental disabilities in America, with an estimated 1 in 54 children nationally and 1 in 35 in New Jersey carrying a diagnosis. Unfortunately for most, services diminish greatly after high school, leaving adults with little support outside of their own families, and making it exceedingly difficult for them to achieve their potential.”
As an intern for the Rutgers Center for Adult Autism Services since December, Senior Sareena Kalinani has developed a passion for Neurodiversity and Autism Awareness. In her role, she works with children with Autism needing behavioral interventions. Sareena helps children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 develop coping mechanisms, so they have the tools they need to be successful.
“I really enjoy helping children realize their potential. Many families believe their child may not be able to hold a job or go to school based on their specific needs. The goal of the center and my internship is to help children assimilate into society so they can live their best life inclusively. In my internship, I have been able to witness how early intervention and treatment can benefit children with Autism. As a member of the AAPI community, I know that for many families early care may not be accessible to children based on culture. The internship has reinforced my belief in advocacy for children with Autism in all cultures and societies around the world, as well as proper communication with those families about treatments that may help their child. Having a sense of community has always been important to me, and I am not afraid to advocate for my community. This internship has allowed me to make a tangible difference in the lives of children with Autism,” Sareena said.
Over the summer, Sareena was selected to attend the Governor’s School of New Jersey Program in the Sciences (GSNJS) which is a 3-week program where students are immersed in intense college level research in collaboration with Drew University. High school students who live in New Jersey are nominated by their schools and applications are submitted in the fall of their junior year for participation in the following summer. New Jersey’s Governor’s School in the Sciences is a very prestigious program for rising high school seniors, with a limited number of students selected statewide.
At GSNJS, Sareena took three college courses including Neurobiology, Human Evolution, and the Molecular Biology of Cancer. She also participated in a Forensic Anthropology Lab and completed a research paper as part of a group in Archaeology. The Archaeology project, under the leadership of an expert of the Guangala region, gave students the opportunity to recreate pottery using organic tempers to compare to ancient pottery. The goal of the study was to study what the composition of pottery may have been thousands of years ago. From her experience completing this project, she learned how the social sciences of Archaeology and Anthropology connect to the physical sciences. Sareena shared that overall, the program was a great introduction to college level courses as well as a collegiate environment which will prepare her once she has completed her senior year at Randolph High School. It also helped reinforce ways she can continue to make a difference in her internship.
“By participating in the NJGSS, I was able to deepen my scientific knowledge and marry it with cultural studies to best serve the underdiagnosed Asian community. With this enhanced understanding, I aspire to contribute to the development of personalized care plans tailored for individuals with Autism and combat the stigma in my community. By exploring the biochemical basis of neural communication and its implications for neurodivergence, I hope to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by neurological conditions. I firmly believe that the NJGSS was an ideal platform for me to further strengthen my research capabilities. The program's rigorous academic environment, collaborative nature, and mentorship opportunities aligned perfectly with my current and future goals of serving the Neurodivergent AAPI community. By engaging in cutting-edge research projects and collaborating with like-minded peers, I am confident that we can collectively make a significant impact on understanding and addressing neurobiological and biochemical aspects of the brain. Together, we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive society for all,” Sareena said.
Sareena is a compassionate, intelligent, and articulate student leader who has and continues to make a difference in the lives of others. When asked about where this passion comes from, she reflected on the lessons she has learned from her mother who has and continues to be an inspiration in her life. “My mother came to America not speaking English and graduated Salutatorian at her high school in New Jersey. As a first-generation college student, she received a full ride to attend NYU. She worked during the days and attended law school at night, and her drive has always inspired me to continue to do more to be the very best I can be. When she came to America, she had to build her own community because she didn’t have one. This has helped me to strive for ways I can help others. She built a family, and her resilience and ability to thrive under any circumstances is something I have and continue to admire. I would not be the person I am today without her and my father, who is also an immigrant, has also made a tremendous impact on my life. Family is very important to me, and both my mother and father have given me the tools and drive to be successful which I am very grateful for," Sareena said.
Although she is currently undecided, post-graduation, Sareena is interested in exploring how she may be able to continue to help people with Neurodivergent conditions, as well as the continued study of Biology and Neurobiology.