Expert calls for expansion of rehabilitation education to address autism crisis

Bhubaneswar: Dr. Sharanjeet Kaur, Chairperson of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), has pitched for expanding higher education programmes in rehabilitation sciences to effectively manage the rising cases of autism.
“To effectively manage the rising cases of autism, we must expand higher education programs in rehabilitation sciences,” she said during the National Convention on Autism held here on World Autism Awareness Day on Wednesday.
The event, organized by the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) in collaboration with the Institute of Health Sciences (IHS), brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, medical experts, and disability rights advocates, to address the increasing prevalence of autism and the critical need for improved support systems.
Dr. Kaur emphasized the critical shortage of trained professionals in the field and called for expanding educational opportunities to address this growing concern. She also reaffirmed RCI’s commitment to collaborating with the Odisha government to enhance rehabilitation services in the state.
Odisha’s Development Commissioner, Anu Garg, delivered a strong message of continued governmental support for better rehabilitation infrastructure. She acknowledged the significant contributions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and underscored the importance of collective efforts in improving care and support for people with disabilities.
Bratati Harichandan, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, advocated for joint initiatives and collaborative efforts to advance the rights of individuals with disabilities, urging stakeholders to work together on inclusive policies.
IHS Founder Prof. Satya Mahapatra stressed the importance of strengthening support structures for autism, citing IHS’s ongoing research and contributions to disability rehabilitation.