On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education by enhancing support systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in schools. As part of this initiative, the government is strengthening Block Resource Centres (BRCs) under the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha scheme to provide essential therapy services and specialized interventions for children with ASD.

Enhanced Therapy-Based Support through BRCs
BRCs serve as dedicated resource hubs that cater to the diverse physical, cognitive, and communicative needs of Children with Special Needs (CwSN). These centres now offer a range of therapy-based interventions, including:

• Occupational Therapy: Aims to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and independence in daily activities.
• Physiotherapy: Helps children with mobility challenges by improving posture, muscle strength, and physical coordination.
• Speech and Communication Therapy: Assists children with delayed speech, communication difficulties, or social interaction challenges, which is especially beneficial for children with autism.
• Psychological & Behavioural Support: Provides emotional and behavioural counselling to boost confidence, social interaction, and overall well-being.

Trained Professionals for Holistic Development
BRCs are staffed with trained resource persons, special educators, and therapists who collaborate with parents, teachers, and caregivers to develop personalized intervention plans. To ensure a comprehensive approach, these centres also organize regular screening camps, parent counselling sessions, teacher training programs, and provide assistive devices and appropriate Teaching-Learning Material (TLM).

Aligning with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The government’s efforts align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes inclusive learning environments. By integrating therapy services with classroom education, ensuring accessible infrastructure, and providing digital learning solutions, the Ministry aims to create a more inclusive and supportive educational framework for CwSN.

Appeal for Maximum Utilization of Resources
The Ministry of Education urges state and district education authorities to maximize the utilization of BRCs and collaborate with local health and social welfare departments to expand support services. Schools, educators, and parents are encouraged to make full use of these resources to foster awareness, acceptance, and meaningful inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder.

On this World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry calls for a collective effort from all stakeholders to build a more inclusive educational landscape, ensuring that every child receives the necessary support to reach their full potential.

Ministry of Education Strengthens Support for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Schools

On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive education by enhancing support systems for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in schools. As part of this initiative, the government is strengthening Block Resource Centres (BRCs) under the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha scheme to provide essential therapy services and specialized interventions for children with ASD.

Enhanced Therapy-Based Support through BRCs
BRCs serve as dedicated resource hubs that cater to the diverse physical, cognitive, and communicative needs of Children with Special Needs (CwSN). These centres now offer a range of therapy-based interventions, including:

• Occupational Therapy: Aims to develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and independence in daily activities.
• Physiotherapy: Helps children with mobility challenges by improving posture, muscle strength, and physical coordination.
• Speech and Communication Therapy: Assists children with delayed speech, communication difficulties, or social interaction challenges, which is especially beneficial for children with autism.
• Psychological & Behavioural Support: Provides emotional and behavioural counselling to boost confidence, social interaction, and overall well-being.

Trained Professionals for Holistic Development
BRCs are staffed with trained resource persons, special educators, and therapists who collaborate with parents, teachers, and caregivers to develop personalized intervention plans. To ensure a comprehensive approach, these centres also organize regular screening camps, parent counselling sessions, teacher training programs, and provide assistive devices and appropriate Teaching-Learning Material (TLM).

Aligning with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The government’s efforts align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes inclusive learning environments. By integrating therapy services with classroom education, ensuring accessible infrastructure, and providing digital learning solutions, the Ministry aims to create a more inclusive and supportive educational framework for CwSN.

Appeal for Maximum Utilization of Resources
The Ministry of Education urges state and district education authorities to maximize the utilization of BRCs and collaborate with local health and social welfare departments to expand support services. Schools, educators, and parents are encouraged to make full use of these resources to foster awareness, acceptance, and meaningful inclusion of children with autism spectrum disorder.

On this World Autism Awareness Day, the Ministry calls for a collective effort from all stakeholders to build a more inclusive educational landscape, ensuring that every child receives the necessary support to reach their full potential.