On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education by strengthening support systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in schools across the country.

Under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, Block Resource Centres (BRCs) are playing a crucial role in providing therapy-based interventions and specialized support to help children with ASD reach their full potential. These centers serve as dedicated hubs for occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and communication therapy, and psychological and behavioral support. The initiative aims to bridge learning gaps and enhance the overall development of Children with Special Needs (CwSN).

BRCs are staffed with trained special educators, therapists, and resource persons who work closely with parents, teachers, and caregivers to develop personalized intervention plans for children with autism. In addition to therapy services, the centers also conduct regular screening camps, parent counseling sessions, teacher training programs, and provide assistive devices and specialized Teaching-Learning Materials (TLM) to support inclusive learning.

Aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government is focused on integrating therapy services within the classroom environment and ensuring accessible infrastructure, digital learning solutions, and assistive technologies for CwSN nationwide. State and district education authorities have been encouraged to fully utilize the Resource Centres and collaborate with local health and social welfare departments to further expand the support network for children with diverse needs.

On World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Education urged schools, educators, and parents to leverage the services of BRCs to enhance learning experiences for children with ASD. The Ministry also emphasized the importance of fostering awareness, acceptance, and meaningful inclusion of children with autism in society.

This initiative underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive educational landscape, ensuring that children with autism receive the necessary support to thrive in mainstream education.