A first-of-its-kind Autism Centre and Sensory Park was inaugurated in Maharashtra’s Latur last week. A joint venture of the local Zilla Parishad’s social welfare department and a religious organization, the center was declared open by state minister Jayant Patil.
The Autism Centre and Sensory Park will provide free treatment and rehabilitation to autistic kids on various issues like multiple disabilities and hyperactivity among other conditions. It is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and manned by several experts.
Social Justice Minister of Maharashtra Dhananjay Munde who was also present on the occasion shared the government’s vision of setting up similar centers in every district of the state. Patil said that this was the first center of its kind in the country.
Besides the other equipment, a sum of Rs 1 crore was spent on the construction of a sensory park on the premises of the center. It has been inspired by similar facilities that exist in Tripura and Kerala.
“Before the inauguration of the center, 500 children with various issues remained admitted in the facility and some of them returned home after recovery,” said ZP CEO Abhinav Goyal.