Andhra Pradesh to establish 125 autism support centres

Andhra Pradesh will set up 125 autism support centres to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The state has received funding of ₹3,468.75 lakh under the PM SHRI initiative for the 2025-26 school year. The centres aim to provide essential educational support to children with autism. Many children, like nine-year-old Rajesh Dadi, display unique skills despite their challenges. Rajesh is currently studying coding and is preparing for an IQ test. His successes highlight the potential of children with ASD. State officials believe these centres will reveal the hidden talents of many children with special needs. Currently, there are around 74,642 Children with Special Needs enrolled in Government schools in Andhra Pradesh. This includes children with various disabilities who need different types of support. The new autism centres will educate the public about recognizing and supporting children with ASD. They will also train parents and offer resources to empower families. Regular screenings will be conducted to help with early identification of autism and other learning disabilities. Overall, these initiatives aim to improve education and social integration for children with autism and other special needs.