Bhubaneswar: On World Autism Awareness Day , senior officials from the Odisha government and the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) discussed strengthening support systems for children with autism in the state.
The meeting, held at Lok Seva Bhawan, was chaired by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg and RCI Chairperson Dr. Sharanjit Kaur.
Dr. Kaur, who attended a national conference in Bhubaneswar earlier in the day, shared insights on enhancing rehabilitation services for autistic individuals through joint initiatives with the state government. She emphasized the need for structured intervention programs in education and healthcare.
Development Commissioner Garg outlined Odisha’s efforts to improve rehabilitation infrastructure, including specialized training for Anganwadi workers, schoolteachers, and healthcare professionals.
The discussion also addressed the shortage of trained doctors and the necessity of upskilling caregivers to support autistic children effectively.
Key officials present included R.S. Gopalan (Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities), Aswathy S. (Health and Family Welfare), and Shalini Pandit (School and Mass Education), reflecting a multi-departmental approach to the issue.
