Bengaluru conference spotlights global push for neurodiversity inclusion

BENGALURU: An international conference on neurodiversity and inclusion brought together researchers, clinicians, educators, and advocates here this week, underscoring the growing global emphasis on supporting people with neurodevelopmental disabilities across all stages of life.

The two-day event, organised by the Centre for Neurodiversity Research and Innovation (CNRI) and the School of Psychological Sciences at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), in collaboration with Binghamton University (New York), Ishanya India Foundation, Stepping Stones Centre, and Christ Special School, concluded on [date not provided]. Themed “Advancing Inclusion Across the Lifespan: Global Practices and Innovations for Neurodevelopmental Disabilities,” the conference examined how policies, education, technology, and community support can be better aligned to foster inclusion.

Delivering the keynote address, Rajinder Kumar Dhamija, director of the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), stressed the need for a multidisciplinary approach. He called on researchers, clinicians, school educators, families, and individuals with lived experiences of neurodevelopmental conditions to work together to bridge gaps in care and support.

Dhamija also highlighted the potential of assistive technologies, digital health tools, and artificial intelligence in transforming services for neurodivergent individuals. At the same time, he drew attention to critical ethical considerations, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, accessibility, human oversight, and the risk of discrimination. He urged the audience to ensure that technological advances do not exclude the very people they are meant to serve.

The conference featured a series of plenary sessions, paper presentations, and workshops. Delegates from India and abroad shared evidence-based practices and innovative models, ranging from early intervention programmes to vocational training and independent living initiatives. The discussions underscored a significant shift in approach—from viewing neurodevelopmental disabilities purely through a medical lens to adopting a social and rights-based framework that respects individual strengths and differences.

Organisers noted that the event reflected a broader movement in India and worldwide to recognise neurodiversity as a natural form of human variation. They said the involvement of multiple institutions, including an international partner, offered an opportunity to learn from different cultural and policy contexts.

Experts at the conference also discussed the importance of teacher training and inclusive classrooms, as well as the need for workplace accommodations that allow neurodivergent adults to contribute meaningfully. These conversations are particularly timely, they said, given the increasing recognition of neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and others.

The conference concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare providers, government agencies, and civil society. Participants expressed hope that the partnerships forged in Bengaluru would lead to tangible actions, including more research, better services, and greater public awareness.

For many attendees, the event was a reminder that inclusion is not a one-time effort but an ongoing commitment. As one delegate put it, “We have to move beyond awareness and into action.”