Kerala Minister Sivankutty launches State-level construction of model autism centres

Quality education and expert treatment will be ensured for differently abled students as part of inclusive education, Minister for General Education V. Sivankutty has said.

He was speaking after inaugurating the State-level construction of model autism complexes here on Thursday.

The Minister said the autism complexes were intended to prioritise individual learning and therapy of the differently abled.

Though autism centres were functioning under 168 block resource centres of the Samagra Shiksha in the State, there was need to provide more modern facilities for children on the autism spectrum, the Minister said, explaining the decision to set up the autism complexes in all 14 districts under the STARS (Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States) scheme.

These structures will have architecture that is differently abled-friendly. Barrier-free entry, adequate light and ventilation, and safe spaces were some of their highlights.

Besides classrooms, rooms for speech therapy, occupational therapy, and sensory integration and assessment and counselling facilities will be available.

Training facilities for parents and multi-purpose hall will also be included in the complexes, the Minister said, adding that an amount of ₹2.7 crore had been sanctioned by the government for each model autism complex.