Hyderabad, April 28, 2026: Suchirindia Foundation, under the leadership of Lion Dr. Kiron, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria and CEO of Suchirindia Group, organized a Round Table Session on Autism Intervention & Inclusion titled “Understanding Minds, Empowering Lives” at Ravindra Bharathi Mini Conference Hall on 27th April, 2026. The event brought together more than 100 institutions, medical experts, therapists, educators, and parents to discuss autism awareness, early diagnosis, intervention, inclusive education, and stronger community support systems.
The session featured Mr.Porika Sammaiah, Former In-charge RC-NIMH and Professor of Disability Rehabilitation, along with Dr. G. Mary Anurupa, Assistant Professor in Paediatrics at NIEPID, and Dr. T. Mugesh, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at NIEPID, Secunderabad. The speakers addressed the myths and facts about autism, early signs and diagnosis, intervention therapies, family empowerment, and the importance of building inclusive communities for children on the autism spectrum.
Speaking on the occasion, Lion Dr. Kiron said the round table session was organized with the objective of creating greater awareness and building a strong support ecosystem for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families. He said autism has existed for many years, but its prevalence has increased sharply in recent decades. “Three decades ago, autism affected approximately 1 in 2000 children. Today, it has risen sharply to nearly 1 in 89. This is not merely a statistic but a clear signal demanding immediate and collective attention,” he noted.
He added that many children remain undiagnosed because of lack of awareness, delayed intervention, shortage of trained professionals, and limited inclusive support frameworks. He said autism can affect communication, social interaction, understanding, emotional connection, and behavioral responses, and stressed that the condition is increasingly becoming a major social challenge for children, parents, families, and society at large.
Lion Dr. Kiron further said that one of the biggest concerns is late identification, particularly in middle-class and lower-income families, where awareness gaps delay diagnosis and intervention. He pointed out that stigma and social fear often make it difficult for parents to accept the condition early, while some schools hesitate to admit children with special needs or fail to create inclusive environments. He also emphasized the financial burden on families, noting that autism intervention and therapies can cost between **Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000 per month**, making treatment difficult for many economically weaker households.
He said the initiative was inspired by his interactions with children with autism and their families during Sankalp Diwas activities, where he witnessed the emotional and financial challenges faced by parents. He added that the new **Dr. Kiron Autism Mission** will work with NGOs, doctors, therapists, educators, and parents to prepare a comprehensive report on autism challenges, intervention gaps, and policy recommendations. The report will be submitted to government authorities and relevant stakeholders to support stronger policy action and better care systems.
Porika Sammaiah said autism support must go beyond awareness and move toward structured systems that help families from early suspicion to diagnosis, intervention, and schooling. He stressed that parents should be treated as partners in the intervention process and that collaboration among institutions, professionals, and communities is essential to reduce delay and stigma.
Dr. G. Mary Anurupa said early recognition of red-flag signs is critical and that timely screening and referral can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism. She emphasized the need for awareness among parents, teachers, and primary healthcare providers so that children can receive support at the right stage.
Dr. T. Mugesh said the session helped highlight practical intervention needs, especially for children facing sensory-related challenges. He explained that sensory integration therapy, applied behavior analysis, behavior modification, and other structured approaches can support children effectively when introduced early. He added that NIEPID is working on integrated support services including psychologists, sensory therapies, yoga therapies, and other intervention programs under one roof.
The event was also attended by Balavikas Educational Society, Sri Vidhyas Center for the Special Children, Prerana Welfare Society, Lakshya Sadhana, Sadhana Society for the Mentally Handicapped, Nirman Association for the Intellectually Challenged, Aathmeeya Manasika Vikasa Kendram, Light (Differently Abled), PHIN (People with Hearing Impaired Network), and Radha Institute for Mentally Retarded.
Suchirindia Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to social transformation through initiatives in healthcare, education, rural development, environmental sustainability, livelihood generation, and welfare programs for marginalized communities.
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