Commitment to Inclusive Education Renewed: Block Resource Centres to offer crucial therapy services to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders under Samruddhi Shiksha Scheme
On the World Autism Awareness Day (April 2, 2025), today, the Ministry of Education of India renewed its commitment to inclusive education. The government is going that extra mile and even bolstering the support mechanism for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in schools.
Block Resource Centres (BRCs) under Samruddhi Shiksha Scheme are playing a crucial role in this aspect.
With the help of Block Resource Centres, the government is making sure that ASD children get therapy services, specialized interventions and educational assistance, so that they can reach their maximum potential.
These centers are at the same time offering numerous significant therapy-based services. Like
Occupational Therapy: Assists in enhancing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination and independence in daily living.
Physiotherapy: Assists with mobility problems, enhances posture, enhances muscle strength and enhances physical coordination.
Speech and communication therapy: Extremely beneficial for children who suffer from speech delay, communication issues or issues related to social interaction.
Psychological and behaviour support: Helps build confidence, improve social communication and preserve mental well-being.
BRCs are staffed with specially trained teachers, special educators and therapists who work closely together with parents, teachers and caregivers in developing individual intervention plans for children.
Further, these centers also offer regular health check-up camps, parent counseling sessions, teacher training programs, support materials, suitable teaching materials and requisite assistive devices to provide a complete education system.
According to the National Education Policy 2020 guidelines, the government is integrating therapy services in schools in the curriculum along with provision of facilitative infrastructure for education, digital learning solutions and assistive devices to develop an inclusive education system for children with special needs.
State and district education departments have been advised to make optimal use of the resource centers and liaise with local health and social welfare departments in order to extend more support to children with different needs.
