Training Opportunity for Teachers & Children at India’s First Autism Township

With one in 68 children being diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in India, It is no longer a rare or uncommon disorder. It is the third most common developmental disorder, with over 18 million people with autism in India.

Autism is an incurable mental disorder which hampers one's ability to interact and communicate. Though In India intervention is of poor quality and it needs an institution building and professionalization to create real impact.

So, In a one-of-its-kind initiative, World-class autism township is coming near Kolkata. A private firm, in association with the state government, is going to build this township, where children and adults suffering from the developmental disorder can receive training, treatment and boarding facilities.

A Collaborative Effort

This township will be built as a joint effort by Ratnabali Group and the state.  In addition, the estimated cost for building the township has been pegged at Rs 500 crore. The India Autism Center (IAC), a non-profit organization, will come up with over a 52-acre plot at Sirakol in South 24 Parganas in the next five years.

The township will also have provisions for training teachers, who would be handling the children with autism disorder.

Suresh Somani, the joint managing director of Ratnabali Investment Pvt Ltd, said, “The project, announced during the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) earlier this year, will also have provisions for training teachers, who would be dealing with those suffering from the disorder.”

Opportunity for Various Businesses

This township is going to be the first centre of its kind, not just in India, but also internationally. In addition to providing holistic wellness of those suffering from autism, this township is also bringing out an opportunity for various business owners such as Daycare centres, real estate, educational institutes etc.

The township will have house facilities for 350 residents. It will also have an administrative wing and a guest house, where parents of those receiving training at the institute can put up for a few days. The IAC will also have a daycare centre for over 200 children, adolescents and adults.

"There will be international tie-ups and the institute will be absolutely different from any of the centres that we have now. The township, which is expected to come up by 2023, will ensure holistic development of those suffering from autism," said, Somani.