Meet Our Team
Our Trustees
Dr. Gita Sankaran
Founder and Managing Trustee
Clinical Psychologist and Founder of We CAN
- Founder Chairperson of WeCAN India, the first ABA center in Chennai for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Co-Founder at ProACT, the training and education wing of WeCAN.
- BCBA® (Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
- IBA™ (International Behavior Analyst)
- MA in ABA (Ball State University, USA)
- Psy.D
- ADOS-2® Clinician
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Clinician
- PEAK Level 1 Certificant
- PECS® Certificant
- Co-author “A world of Difference: The ultimate autism handbook for mindful parenting” and Co-host of the Autism Everyday Podcast.
- Contact: gita[at]wecanproact.com | wechallengeautism[at]gmail.com
Dr. Gita started her professional career as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary. Finding that numbers are not half as interesting as people are, motivated her to change career paths. She began the center catering to only about 10 children with Autism armed with great intentions and little knowledge, she went on to pursue her Masters in ABA from Ball State University, USA and qualified as a BCBA – currently 1 of 30 Board Certified Professionals in India. She heads outreach programs where she travels to remote locations and provides workshops and consultations to teachers, therapists, families and individuals affected by Autism. Dr. Gita is passionate about breaking geographical and language barriers when it comes to disseminating knowledge and conducts parent and professional workshops in English, Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam.
Dr. Gita Sankaran is the Founder and Chairperson of We CAN India, an early intervention and behavior science center dedicated to supporting children and adults on the autism spectrum through evidence-based practice. Under her leadership, We CAN has grown from a small initiative serving a handful of families into a respected center for intervention, diagnostics, professional training, and community outreach, known for its clinical rigor and deeply humane approach to care.
Originally trained as a Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, Dr. Gita made a remarkable career transition into behavior science, driven by a deep commitment to improving autism services in India. She holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a focus on autism. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA®) and International Behavior Analyst (IBA™), and is also certified in ADOS-2® and trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), PEAK Level 1, and PECS®, combining scientific precision with practical application.
Over the years, Dr. Gita has played a pivotal role in strengthening the practice of Applied Behavior Analysis in India, mentoring clinicians, training professionals, and helping families access structured, ethical, and high-quality autism intervention. She regularly conducts workshops and consultations in English, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, ensuring that families across linguistic and cultural backgrounds feel supported and empowered.
Dr. Gita is the co-author of A World of Difference: The Ultimate Autism Handbook for Mindful Parenting and co-host of the Autism Everyday podcast, where she brings behavioral science out of textbooks and into the daily lives of families and educators.
At the heart of her work is a simple but powerful belief: that every individual on the autism spectrum deserves the opportunity to learn, communicate, and live with dignity. Through her leadership, Dr. Gita continues to build systems, communities, and professionals committed to making that vision a reality.
Swati Narayan, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
- Director of WeCAN India, the first ABA center in Chennai for children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder
- BCBA® ( Board Certified Behavior Analyst)
- Co-Founder at ProACT, the training and education wing of WeCAN.
- MA in ABA (Ball State University, USA)
- IBA™ (International Behavior Analyst)
- ADOS-2® Clinician
- PEAK Level 1 Certificant
- PECS® Certificant
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Clinician
- Co-author “A world of Difference: The ultimate autism handbook for mindful parenting” and Co-host of the Autism Everyday Podcast.
Swati is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who holds a Masters Degree in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) from Ball State University, USA. A person who wandered into the field by chance, realized that this was the career of her dreams. With her entry into the organization in 2015, there is renewed commitment to increasing our scientific presence across the globe and an enthusiasm for learning. Her core interests include diagnostics, clinician research and early intervention. Her clinical work has been presented at scientific conferences across the globe. Swati is closely involved in creating IEPs for those enrolled in WeCAN for direct and telehealth intervention, ABA training and in outreach programs.
Swati Narayan leads the clinical work at We CAN India, with a clear focus on real-life communication, independence, and functional skills. A BCBA® with a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, she is certified in ADOS-2® and trained in PEAK, PECS®, and ACT.
Since 2015, she has built clinical systems, mentored therapists, and trained professionals across India. Her work is internationally published, and she has presented in Japan, Germany, Sweden and the United States, grounding global practices in the Indian context.
She is co-author of A World of Difference and co-host of the Autism Everyday podcast.
Swati believes science has one job: to make real lives better.
Dr. Aruna Ramanan, MD
Pediatric Hematologist & Oncologist, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, USA
Dr. Aruna Ramanan, MD is an experienced pediatrician with over 25 years of clinical, academic, and community-based practice in child health. She has served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UCONN Health and spent many years at Connecticut Children’s, where she provided comprehensive care to infants, children, and young adults while also mentoring medical students and residents. Her work consistently combines evidence-based medicine with a strong emphasis on culturally sensitive, family-centered care.
In addition to her work in the United States, Dr. Ramanan is deeply committed to global health. She actively oversees a free outpatient dispensary in Thiruvanamalai, ensuring access to quality medical care for underserved communities. Her interests include preventive health, early childhood development, and supporting families navigating complex medical and developmental needs.
As a Trustee at WeCAN, Dr. Ramanan brings a critical medical perspective to the organization’s work with neurodiverse individuals. Her expertise helps bridge healthcare and behavioural intervention, ensuring that children with developmental differences receive holistic, ethical, and well-coordinated care. She strengthens WeCAN’s focus on safety, medical collaboration, and long-term developmental outcomes for every child.
Dr. Shivaprakasam Srinivasan, MD
Psychiatrist & Child/Adolescent
Mental Health Specialist, SCARF Chennai
Dr. Shiva Prakash Srinivasan is a psychiatrist who specializes in helping young people with their mental health. He currently serves as the Head of Clinical Services and Training for the Youth Mental Health department at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) and as a consultant psychiatrist in his private clinic in Chennai, India. His extensive medical journey began with a medical degree (MBBS) from Madras Medical College and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) in Psychiatry from AIIMS, New Delhi. To further his expertise, he completed specialized training in General Psychiatry at SUNY Buffalo in New York and advanced training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.
In his professional life, Dr. Shiva leads many projects to make mental health care more accessible. He helped start rYMs, a safe space for youth in Chennai, and has worked closely with students and staff at IIT Madras to improve well-being. He is also very active in research, leading major studies such as the JAMS project, which provides mental health services to children in the juvenile justice system. Additionally, he focuses on supporting the mental health of gender and sexual minorities through his clinical work and published papers.
While he is dedicated to his medical work, Dr. Shiva believes in staying active and enjoying life. He is an avid fan of the outdoors and physical fitness. You can often find him working out, running, or cycling. He also enjoys the challenge of trekking and simply staying active through playing sports.
When it is time to slow down, Dr. Shiva has a creative and relaxed side. He loves cooking and finds joy in preparing meals. For quiet time, he enjoys watching movies and reading books. He believes that staying active and having hobbies are important parts of a healthy, balanced life.
Team
Lakshmi Menon
Case Manager, RBT
Anitha
Admin and Accounts
Anitha oversees finances, billing and administration. Anitha interfaces with families and external vendors to keep the wheels turning smoothly.
Sumitha Menon
Head of Administration
Reena
Lead Therapist
Reena engages with children across the age groups on 1:1 sessions. Reena has a background of working with disabilities and brings with her great energy and enthusiasm.
Ranjana
RBT
Meet the therapist who brings in her experience as a special needs parent, Ranjana’s work focuses on Independent life skills and self directed learning.
Ranjana Munje
Principal, We CAN India
Ranjana Munje is the Principal at We CAN India and a Certified International Behaviour Therapist and special educator with over 15 years of experience. She leads daily programs, mentors therapists, and supports families with warmth and steady guidance.
Known for her encouragement and commitment, she celebrates every milestone and brings patience, persistence, and belief into her work. Outside of We CAN, she enjoys fitness and good food, carrying the same energy into all she does.
Lakshmi Menon
Senior Behavior Therapist, We CAN India
Lakshmi Menon is a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®) and International Behavior Therapist (IBT), serving as Senior Therapist at We CAN India. She supports early intervention programs, mentors therapists, and works closely with children to build communication, independence, and daily living skills.
Known for her patience and keen observation, she adapts strategies to each child’s learning style while maintaining structured, goal-focused sessions. Lakshmi combines clinical skill with genuine care to create a supportive, consistent, and engaging learning environment.
Reena Venkatesh
Senior Therapist, We CAN India
Reena is one of the driving forces at We CAN India—bringing energy, structure, and sharp clinical instincts to every session. Known for her strong work ethic and clear expectations, she balances firm boundaries with warmth and genuine care.
She creates a space that is both structured and nurturing, and is as much a source of comfort and laughter as she is of consistency (and, of course, the ever-present cup of chai).
Aysha
Junior Behaviour Therapist – Autism & Development, We CAN India
Aysha is an International Behavior Therapist (IBT) known for her calm, patient approach and ever-present smile. She brings focus and consistency to each session, creating a safe, engaging space where children can learn and participate with confidence.
Warm, attentive, and dependable, Aysha combines professional skill with genuine care, making her a valued part of the We CAN team.
Suganya
Behavior Associate
Velankanni
Behavior Associate
Velankanni
Behavior Associate
Anitha Murali
Admin Team, We CAN India
Abilash
Ayesha
Chithra
Prasanna
Principal, We CAN India
Ramya
Suganya
Vailankanni
Shanthi
Ayesha
Enrichment Program Instructors
Carnatic Music
Chitra Seshadri Nath, our Carnatic Music teacher, brings over three decades of dedicated teaching experience and more than five decades of rich musical journey as a vocalist. Deeply committed to nurturing young minds, she blends tradition with warmth, inspiring generations of students through her passion for music. Beyond her musical pursuits, she is an avid painter and enjoys stitching, expressing her creativity through art and craft. During her college years, she was also an active throwball player, reflecting her energetic and well-rounded personality.
Yoga
Nizar Poo Mugham Sainulabdeen, our instructor, is a qualified Yoga teacher, with additional expertise in naturopathy and therapeutic recreation. He brings years of experience in yoga, guiding individuals of all ages towards improved health, flexibility and well-being. Currently, he works as a private yoga instructor, tailoring his sessions to meet the unique needs of each learner.
Fitness
Jaffer Shathiq, our fitness trainer, is a certified instructor with six years of experience in personal training, strength conditioning and weight management. He specializes in designing customized workouts and guiding clients towards sustainable fitness goals. Jaffer holds multiple certifications, including Corrective Functional Resistance Training, Autism and ADHD Awareness, and training for children with learning differences. He has been recognized in the Asia and India Book of Records for training 14 children with autism in strength and fitness, helping them achieve a record-breaking feat by completing the maximum distance in an open-sea swimming relay from Cuddalore to Chennai, covering 165 km. With his expertise, energy and dedication, Jaffer inspires strength, endurance and confidence in every client he works with.