A year ago, an expert committee from the district health department emphasized the immediate need for regulating therapy centers that cater to special children, including those with autism. This report was prompted by complaints from 'Together We Can,' a forum of parents with autistic children. Unfortunately, the report has not seen any action from the state health department and the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR). The expert committee, consisting of district RCH officer Dr. R Shantakumari and deputy mass media officer Haritha Devi, evaluated 13 therapy centers within corporation limits. Their findings highlighted the necessity for a district monitoring committee to oversee these centers. The panel proposed clear operation guidelines encompassing infrastructure and human resource requirements for these centers, along with separate guidelines for home programs. The report emphasized the need for mandatory services of psychiatrists in all centers, citing shortages of occupational therapists. The KSCPCR officials stated that they await a report from the state health secretary to address the issues raised in the complaint. In response to a complaint filed on May 2, 2015, the child rights commission sent notices to various departments, including the social justice department, the department of health services, the departments of urban affairs, and panchayats, requesting a report by June 4, 2015. Despite reminders, only partial responses have been received. Collector MG Rajamanickam, on May 19, 2015, issued show-cause notices to all therapy centers, compelling them to prove their compliance with necessary documentation for treating children with autism and special needs. This action came in response to the 'Together We Can' forum's appeal for a regulatory body to monitor these centers. A meeting chaired by the collector revealed that the therapy centers did not fall under the purview of health, education, and social justice departments. Consequently, the district administration pledged to draft comprehensive guidelines for all such centers.
