National autism stakeholders summit 2026 a huge success

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The National Autism stakeholders’ summit 2026 was a huge success as more than 500 paediatric neurologists, neuroscientists, therapists, policymakers, researchers, educators, NGOs, and families of individuals with autism from across the country came together to strengthen autism care and empower neurodiversity. Organised by Yashoda Hospitals–Hitech City, in collaboration with the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), the two-day national conference aimed to advance autism care and empowerment.

The Chief Guest, Hari Chandana Dasari, District Collector & Magistrate, Hyderabad said that autism was not merely a medical condition but a reflection of human cognitive diversity. She highlighted the need for society to move beyond awareness and implement inclusive policies across education, healthcare, and employment sectors.

Child Development Centre inaugurated

A comprehensive facility for early identification and intervention for children with developmental and behavioural needs was inaugurated. The centre has strong multidisciplinary expertise to provide assessment, therapy, and ongoing support for children and their families.

On this occasion, Dr. A. Lingaiah, Director of Medical Services at Yashoda Hospitals, stated that autism should be viewed as a shared societal responsibility, with greater emphasis on awareness, early diagnosis, and quality treatment. He stressed the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in autism care and noted that platforms like this summit enabled the exchange of expert knowledge, leading to improved treatment outcomes. He also underlined the need for comprehensive policies, accessibility in education and employment, and greater social acceptance to empower individuals with autism. He described the summit as a significant step in that direction.

Dr. Lokesh Lingappa, Senior Child & Adolescent Neurologist, Yashoda Hospitals – Hitech City, highlighted the importance of early identification and comprehensive treatment for complex neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism. He noted that early intervention significantly improved a child’s development and quality of life. He also mentioned that the summit served as a valuable networking platform, bringing together medical professionals, educators, students, and families, thereby fostering collaboration across healthcare, education, and policy sectors.

The event was conducted under the esteemed guidance of Dr. A. Lingaiah, Director of Medical Services at Yashoda Hospitals; and Dr. Lokesh Lingappa, Child & Adolescent Neurologist and Director of the Department of Paediatric Neurosciences, with the support of Dr. B.V. Ram Kumar, Director, NIEPID. The organizing committee included Dr. Amulya Mysore, Developmental Paediatrician and Clinical In-charge, CDC, along with Dr. Sarah Bailur, Medical Geneticist, and Dr. Somasekhar, Senior Clinical Psychologist.

The two-day event kicked off on April 11 (Saturday) at the 5th Floor Auditorium, Yashoda Hospitals – Hitech City.