A year ago, Pavithra P’s four-year-old son, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), would not respond to his name or communicate. Today, he is in pre-kindergarten, participating in events such as running races and dance, blending in with the rest of his peers.“Just a few months of treatment at the District Early Intervention Centre (DIEC) at Government Stanley Hospital showed good improvement in my son,” says the single mother from Chennai.Her journey mirrors that of several parents who have taken charge of their children’s care, often navigating social pressure, financial strain, and relocation to access treatment.Since its launch in 2018, DIEC has grown 15-fold. In 2025, the centre provided therapy to more than 16,000 children with neurodevelopmental disorders, with 3,000 already treated this year.Conditions such as ASD, cerebral palsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, motor and speech delays and behavioural disorders are commonly seen here, says Dr J Ganesh, director, Institute of Social Paediatrics at Stanley Medical College. “Early intervention is key. Families must seek help when children show signs of speech delay or lack of response” he adds. Dr Ganesh says though awareness has increased over the years, the incidence of autism is a rising trend. “When children below the age of three are brought in, we can support them better in joining school. Delayed identification can make this more difficult,” says Dr Ganesh, adding that children up till the age of 14 can take treatment at DIEC. Common signs include lack of name call response, difficulty in making eye contact while speaking, not socialising with other children, hyperactivity and difficulty in speech. “DIEC is not only used by low-income groups but also middle-income parents who are unable to afford private therapy or prefer the comprehensive care offered here,” he adds.Dean Dr A Aravind said that while centres exist across the state, DIEC has a sensory park and customised therapy spaces designed by doctors. The centre offers services such as speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sensory integration, psychological and vision assessments and special education.We see children from several parts of Tamil Nadu such as Palani, Theni and Gobichettipalayam and Chennai as well as Andhra Pradesh, says a doctor.Akila B from Palani, a TNPSC Group 2 qualifier and UPSC aspirant, is currently in the city for her two-year-old child’s therapy. “We began treatment three months ago and my child is responding well,” she says.
