"Understanding Minds, Empowering Lives"
The Dr. Kiron Autism Mission Round Table Session will be held on 27 April 2026 at Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, Hyderabad, bringing together experts, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, caregivers, and advocates committed to supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Centered around the theme “Understanding Minds, Empowering Lives,” the session aims to promote awareness, acceptance, and inclusion for individuals on the autism spectrum. The event will serve as a platform for meaningful discussions on the challenges and opportunities faced by individuals with autism, while highlighting the importance of early intervention, inclusive education, skill development, and community support.
OVERVIEW OF THE SESSION
The Round Table Session on Autism Intervention and Inclusion titled “Understanding Minds, Empowering Lives” marked a significant and highly impactful beginning for the Dr. Kiron Autism Mission.
The session witnessed active participation from over 100 stakeholders, including:
- Parents and caregivers
- NGO founders and institutional leaders
- Medical professionals and therapists
- Educators and rehabilitation experts
- Researchers and neuroscientists
KEY OBSERVATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP
Strong Stakeholder Engagement
- Participants displayed exceptional openness and willingness to collaborate.
- Parents and professionals shared real-life challenges, live experiences, and intervention insights.
- The environment enabled mutual learning and cross-sector understanding.
Awareness Gaps and Myth Dispelling
- Several misconceptions around autism were addressed and clarified.
- Practical understanding of early signs, diagnosis pathways and therapies improved significantly.
- A common realization emerged that lack of awareness remains the biggest barrier.
Awareness Gaps and Myth Dispelling
- Several misconceptions around autism were addressed and clarified.
- Practical understanding of early signs, diagnosis pathways and therapies improved significantly.
- A common realization emerged that lack of awareness remains the biggest barrier.
Recognition of Leadership
- The initiative led by Lion Dr. Kiron was widely appreciated.
- Participants acknowledged the need for a structured mission-led movement.
- Strong consensus that this initiative should evolve into a long-term ecosystem-building effort.
CORE CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED
The discussions highlighted critical systemic and social gaps:
- Low awareness levels, especially among rural and lower-income communities.
- Delayed diagnosis due to stigma and lack of screening systems.
- Shortage of trained professionals and intervention centres.
- High financial burden of therapies.
- Limited inclusive education infrastructure.
- Social stigma and denial among families.
- Fragmented efforts across NGOs and institutions.
STRATEGIC DECISIONS FINALIZED
Awareness as the Primary Pillar
A unanimous decision was taken that awareness creation will be the foundation of the mission.
- Action: Develop high-quality awareness videos featuring doctors, therapists, NGOs, and parents’ real experiences.
- Accessibility: Ensure content is simple, multilingual and accessible to rural audiences.
- Distribution: Aggressively distribute through social media, WhatsApp networks and institutional channels.
Destigmatization and Social Acceptance
- Promote acceptance of autism as a condition, not a limitation.
- Encourage early clinical certification and diagnosis.
- Build messaging around inclusion, dignity and early intervention importance.
Government Representation and Policy Advocacy
A major resolution was passed to formally engage with government systems.
- Action: Prepare a comprehensive representation document including key challenges, financial burdens and gaps in institutional support.
- Target: Submit to government departments and policy makers to drive funding support.
Formation of a Core Collaborative Network
- Creation of a dedicated WhatsApp coordination group for real-time coordination, knowledge sharing, and action tracking among NGOs, doctors, special teachers and parents.
Digital Ecosystem Development
- Launch and strengthen the official mission website.
- Integrate workshop recordings, awareness content and a collaborative digital directory of partner institutions.
Social Media Activation
- Establish dedicated handles to systematically publish awareness videos, expert insights and parent stories for mass outreach.
Parent-Centric Engagement Sessions
- Conduct exclusive sessions for parents to address concerns, clear doubts and provide guidance on early intervention and emotional support.
National Level Conclave (Next Phase)
- Plan a high-level national conclave with policy makers and national experts to build a structured national framework for autism support.
IMMEDIATE PLAN OF ACTION (EXECUTION ROADMAP)
- Phase 1: Foundation : Form core WhatsApp group; Begin awareness video production; Compile workshop insights; Initiate website development.
- Phase 2: Outreach : Launch social media platforms; Release awareness campaign; Publish workshop recordings; Expand stakeholder network.
- Phase 3: Advocacy : Finalize and submit government representation; Begin institutional collaborations; Conduct parent-focused sessions.
- Phase 4: Expansion : Organize national conclave; Build long-term partnerships; Strengthen policy engagement.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
- Increased public awareness and early diagnosis rates.
- Reduced social stigma and misinformation.
- Improved access to therapies and support systems.
- Stronger collaboration between stakeholders.
- Policy-level recognition and government intervention.
- Establishment of a sustainable autism support ecosystem.
Conference on Parent Awareness:
As part of our social initiative on Autism, we conducted a state level Conference of ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) exclusively for Parents and NGOs of Autism individuals. The symposium held on Sunday 7th June 2026 at Brahmakumaris Global Peace Auditorium, Gachibowli, Hyderabad from 9 am to 5 pm, with live sessions and panel discussions along with active participation of everyone including Parents, Medical Experts, NGOs in charges, Special Educators and Social Servants.
Following topics were explained and discussed for the benefit of parents:
- Understanding Autism through a Neurodiversity Lens – Session by
Dr. Sunita Devi, Asst. Professor & HOD, Rehabilitation Psychology, NIEPID, Secunderabad
- Early identification and Intervention in Autism: Sharing Evidence-based practices & NIEPID CDEIC Success stories – Session by
Dr. V. Sravan Reddy, Deputy Director & Assistant Professor in Psychiatry, NIEPID & Mr. Hrushikesh Despande Nagaraju, Rehab Therapist Early Intervention, NIEPID, Secunderabad.
- Therapeutic Approaches for ASD – Session by
Dr. Rosey Leena Tallapally, Rehabilitation Therapist & Founder, Kala Cherian’s School, Nizamabad.
- Educational Strategies for Inclusion – Session by
Dr. Mamta Mathur, Special Educator & Counsellor, Hyderabad.
- Technology in Supporting Autism – Session by
Sri Uday Kumar Dintyala, Founder & Chairman, CognitiveBotics, Hyderabad
- Importance of Family Role in Autistic Children by using Home Interventions – Naveen Kumar – Sr. Occupational Therapist & Ms. Gajjela Sandhya – Clinical Psychologist, The Hans Foundation, Hyderabad.
- Research & Best Practices of ASD – Session by
Dr. Sampurna Guha, Lecturer in Special Education, NIEPID, Secunderabad
- Provisions and Benefits for Persons with Disabilities – session by Dr. G. Srinivasulu, HOD, DAIL (Dept. of Adult Inclusive Learning), NIEPID, Secunderabad.
- Networking Session – It is an informal gathering of attendees to network, share ideas, and develop connections. This schedule provided a balanced mix of presentations, discussions, and networking opportunities to foster learning and collaboration among participants.
Every mind follows its own path. We're building the road for it.
From a single round-table in Banjara Hills to a growing coalition of doctors, educators and parents — here's what the Dr. Kiron Autism Mission is building, phase by phase.
The Round Table Session
"Understanding Minds, Empowering Lives"
Held on 27 April 2026 at the Ravindra Bharathi Auditorium, Hyderabad, the session brought together experts, educators, healthcare professionals, parents, caregivers and advocates committed to supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
It became the founding moment for the Mission — a space to talk honestly about early intervention, inclusive education, skill-building and community support, with more than 100 stakeholders in the room: parents, NGO founders, doctors, therapists, educators and researchers.
Key observations from the workshop
Three themes surfaced again and again in the room — and now shape everything we prioritise.
Strong stakeholder engagement
- Exceptional openness to collaborate across sectors
- Parents and professionals shared real, lived experience
- An environment built for mutual learning
Awareness gaps & myth-dispelling
- Misconceptions around autism directly addressed
- Clearer understanding of early signs and diagnosis paths
- Consensus: low awareness is still the biggest barrier
Recognition of leadership
- Lion Dr. Kiron's initiative widely appreciated
- Clear call for a structured, mission-led movement
- Strong support for long-term ecosystem building
Core challenges identified
The discussions surfaced systemic gaps that no single family — or single NGO — can close alone.
- Low awareness levels, especially in rural and lower-income communities
- Delayed diagnosis due to stigma and a lack of screening systems
- Shortage of trained professionals and intervention centres
- High financial burden of ongoing therapies
- Limited inclusive education infrastructure
- Social stigma and denial within families
- Fragmented efforts across NGOs and institutions
Four phases, one direction
This is the actual sequence we committed to at the Round Table — each phase builds on the one before it.
Lay the groundwork
- Form the core WhatsApp coordination group
- Begin awareness video production
- Compile workshop insights
- Initiate website development
Go public
- Launch social media platforms
- Release the awareness campaign
- Publish workshop recordings
- Expand the stakeholder network
Take it to policy
- Finalise & submit government representation
- Begin institutional collaborations
- Conduct parent-focused sessions
Build the ecosystem
- Organise a national conclave
- Build long-term partnerships
- Strengthen policy engagement
What success looks like
Increased public awareness and earlier diagnosis
Reduced stigma and less misinformation
Better access to therapies and support systems
Stronger collaboration between stakeholders
Policy-level recognition and government support
A sustainable, long-term autism support ecosystem
A full day of live sessions and panel discussions for parents, NGOs, medical experts, special educators and social workers — nine sessions covering everything from neurodiversity to family-led home intervention.
Understanding Autism through a Neurodiversity Lens
Dr. Sunita Devi — Asst. Professor & HOD, Rehabilitation Psychology, NIEPID
Early Identification & Intervention in Autism
Dr. V. Sravan Reddy & Mr. Hrushikesh Deshpande Nagaraju — NIEPID
Therapeutic Approaches for ASD
Dr. Rosey Leena Tallapally — Founder, Kala Cherian's School, Nizamabad
Educational Strategies for Inclusion
Dr. Mamta Mathur — Special Educator & Counsellor, Hyderabad
Technology in Supporting Autism
Sri Uday Kumar Dintyala — Founder & Chairman, CognitiveBotics
The Family's Role in Home Interventions
Naveen Kumar & Ms. Gajjela Sandhya — The Hans Foundation
Research & Best Practices of ASD
Dr. Sampurna Guha — Lecturer in Special Education, NIEPID
Provisions & Benefits for Persons with Disabilities
Dr. G. Srinivasulu — HOD, Dept. of Adult Inclusive Learning, NIEPID
Networking Session
An informal close — attendees connect, share ideas, and keep the conversation going
Every action here starts with someone deciding to show up.
Whether it's joining the coordination network, attending the next session, or funding a single therapy hour — there's a place for you in this roadmap.
Support the Mission