In a small but determined kitchen in Kochi, a group of autistic individuals is proving that ability, not disability, defines potential. Refusing to be limited by the challenges associated with their condition, they have turned resilience into enterprise by setting up a bakery that produces cookies and brownies which are a hit among customers.
Their story is one of courage, inclusion, and the power of perseverance to rise above stigma and circumstance. At Unichira in Edappally in Kochi, the group is steadily building an enterprise under the brand name “Ausome Bites”.
It all began during the Covid pandemic period when mothers of these children decided to create a project to help their children get out of boredom and make them engaged in productive activities. They took the help of Autism Club Ernakulam to impart training on baking and confectionery making for their children.
“Those small sessions soon became a space for discovery, confidence and calm, revealing abilities that had long remained unnoticed. By July 2022, the initiative had grown into a structured vocational training programme and a full-fledged baking venture under the Autism Club Ernakulam. The mission soon evolved into a sustainable livelihood programme,” said Anita Pradeep, a home baker and member of the club. The whole initiative is coordinated by Deepthi Mathews, a lead skill developer and advisory committee member of Autism Club Ernakulam.
The team members who make cookies and brownies include Vaishnav Kuttikat, Sohan Bijo, Aakash Sanjay, Sam Varghese, Brian Varghese Pradeep, Antony Eby and Shama Farook. Aged between 18 and 34, the work is equally distributed among all the team members at the bakery unit. While a few actively participate in production, the others manage orders through WhatsApp and the website.
“All the mothers also work alongside their children on production days,” said Bincy, mother of one of the team members.
Vidya Kuttikat, another mother, added that the project has boosted the children’s confidence. The venture has expanded from an initial menu of three cookie varieties to more than 18, along with brownies, muffins, cupcakes and cakes. They also follow a healthy menu for their products, replacing maida and refined sugar with wheat, ragi, oats and millet-based ingredients. Several products are gluten-free and casein-free, reflecting the dietary needs of many people with autism.
Operating out of a rented kitchen in Unichira, with partial rent support from the Autism Club and contributions from parents and well-wishers, Ausome Bites has grown into a financially sustainable enterprise. Monthly revenue ranges between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh, with last Christmas sales crossing Rs 2 lakh. The team members earn a monthly salary from the profit of the venture.
More than a bakery, Ausome Bites has become a support system for families who share similar journeys. It is an example of how entrepreneurship can thrive when skill-based training meets consistent opportunity.
