News of the month - April 2025
- varsha srivastava
- Apr 28
- 9 min read
Welcome to our News of the Month update for April 2025! This month has been full of important developments in the fields of autism, special needs, speech delay, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. With April recognized as Autism Awareness Month, worldwide campaigns focused on promoting acceptance, early diagnosis, and inclusive support services. Exciting advances in speech therapy, including AI-based tools for children with speech delays, have also made headlines.
Innovations in assistive technology are reshaping the support landscape for individuals with diverse abilities. Overall, April’s News of the Month reminds us of the ongoing progress towards a more accessible and inclusive world for everyone.
RFK Jr. calls autism 'preventable': Is it though?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stated that the number of youngsters receiving an autism diagnosis is rising at a "scary rate" during his first press conference as US Health and Human Services Secretary on Wednesday. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed new data the day before he made his remarks, predicting that 1 in 31 American children now have an autism diagnosis, which is "shocking" and represents a considerable increase from 2020.
In contrast to the conclusions of scientists and researchers, the HSS secretary said that autism is a "preventable disease" and that "we know it's an environmental exposure, it has to be" while discussing the prevalence of autism among Americans.
Read this news by indiatimes
Let’s accept autism walk in Mysuru on Sunday
Mysuru: The Devdan Foundation Learning Center, in partnership with PADHA Trust, is hosting the "Let's Accept Autism – Walk of Hope: Autism Acceptance Walk" on April 27 in Mysuru in honor of World Autism Awareness Day.
Starting at 6.30 am at the North Gate of Mysore Palace (the grounds of the Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple), the 3-kilometer walk will end at the UoM Athletic Ground (Oval Ground). In India, one child out of every 48 is diagnosed with autism. "This isn't just a walk," Kotera Devaiah, head of the Devdan Foundation Learning Center, told reporters. There is a movement. For the kids who are still waiting to be understood, we walk. We walk in support of parents who are looking for hope, support, and assistance. We walk to dispel stigma, end the taboo around autism, and honor each person's individuality and fortitude. We encourage professionals, corporates, entrepreneurs, bankers, industrialists, students, citizens, and leaders of institutions to join us in demonstrating that Mysuru is a place of acceptance.
Read this news by indiatimes
SIES Sanjeevani celebrates Autism Awareness Day
Nagpur: Sanjeevani, a special education remedial center, organized an Autism Awareness Rally in honor of "World Autism Awareness Day," which is observed on April 2 of each year. The rally traveled across North Ambazari Road after beginning at Saraswati Vidyalaya. Its goals were to raise awareness of autism spectrum condition and to encourage acceptance and understanding. Dr. Suresh Chari, a member of the South Indian Education Society (SIES), gave the rally its start.
SIES President TK Venkatesh, Special children of Sanjeevani, teachers, Saraswati Vidyalaya Scout and Guide students, supervisors, Lakshmi Srinivasan, AHM of secondary department, Resmi Umesh, HM of primary department, Veena Narayanan, in-charge of pre-primary department, Ravindra Kulkharni, Rahul Ghode, and coordinator S Prabhuraman attended the rally along with secretary V Meenakshi.
Read this news by indiatimes
Oral bacteria may help detect Autism with 81% accuracy, study finds
A recent study discovered a strong association between the oral microbiome and 11 bacterial species that could be biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By analyzing oral samples from children aged three to six, researchers were able to develop an 81% accurate prediction model for autism. This simple, non-invasive method could result in the early detection of ASD through routine dental examinations. The findings have the potential to revolutionize autism screening by offering a biological complement to traditional observation-based methods.
Read this news by indiatimes
Kids with autism showcase talent in Kolhapur
Kolhapur: On Wednesday, up to 25 kids brought joy to Padpath Udyan in Rankala Lake. World Autism Awareness Day is the event. The Aman Foundation, CARE, and Kruti joined children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents in commemorating the day.
The kids participated in a variety of entertaining activities, such as games, quizzes, street plays, rallies, and face painting. To support the kids, parents, residents, and strollers gathered in the garden. World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on April 2 to draw attention to the difficulties that people with autism and their families encounter. Autism patients' special talents and accomplishments are honored on this day.
Read this news by indiatimes
Brittany Cartwright reveals her son’s autism diagnosis: What are the early signs of autism?
For the first time, Brittany Cartwright has discussed her son's autism diagnosis in public. The Bravo personality revealed to People that her son Cruz, who will turn four in a few days, received an autism diagnosis in the fall.
Cartwright, 36, and her 45-year-old ex-boyfriend, Jax Taylor, share the child. The outlet reported that their youngster "stopped talking almost" entirely as he approached two years old. "He was talking, he was she was saying, 'Mommy,' 'Daddy.' He was saying 'Hot Dog!' from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," she said. The diagnosis was given to them in the fall, almost six months ago. The child is now primarily nonverbal, she added.
Read this news by indiatimes
How Gabify is using AI for speech and neurodevelopmental care
In India, one in eight children suffers from neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, ADHD, or speech difficulties, and approximately 15% of the population has some kind of communication impairment. According to the Directory of Open Access Journal, a study carried out in rural Karnataka's Ballari district revealed a prevalence rate of 4.29% among school-age children between the ages of 6 and 16.
Only one certified speech therapist is available for every 10,000 persons, indicating that the nation's infrastructure for early diagnosis and rehabilitation is still inadequate despite the severity of this public health issue.
Co-founder and CEO Sahil Chopra tells YourStory, "Long wait times, high costs, and a lack of awareness have further compounded the problem, often delaying intervention beyond the critical early years of a child's development." Sahil Chopra, Prachi Sood, and Vasyl Leshchuk formed the Delhi-based firm Gabify in 2024 with the goal of resolving these issues. The AI-powered platform provides individualized speech therapy services supported by research.
Read this news by yourstory
Because of my speech disorder, people laughed every time I spoke: Boman Irani
Famous for his roles in Don, 3 Idiots, and Munna Bhai MBBS, actor Boman Irani was recently in Hyderabad to speak at a gathering hosted by the Young FICCI Ladies Organization (YFLO). Speaking on the topic of "Knowledge – The Compass for Life's Journey," Irani related intimate tales of his early battles with anxiety, speech problems, and learning disabilities and how his mother's support and love of movies enabled him to overcome them.
"I'm never at a loss for words now that people laughed when I spoke." Irani, who was diagnosed as having both dyslexia and dyscalculia as a child, described how he was frequently written off as "Bichara Boman," even by his own family. Because of his speech difficulties and tendency to stumble through phrases, he was frequently made fun of. He admitted, "I was nervous as a kid."
Read this news by indiatimes
Probiotic supplements could ease autism symptoms in kids: Study
According to a recent study, children's autism symptoms can be significantly reduced by addressing the gut-brain connection. Probiotics have been shown to help control autistic behavior.
In addition to developing novel treatments for autism in kids, a recent study found a connection between probiotic-rich meals and autism. The study's findings that probiotic supplements can help with both behavioral and digestive problems have offered parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) hope. The neurological disorder known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has an impact on behavior, social interaction, and communication. It is referred to as a "spectrum" condition since each person experiences symptoms differently, ranging from mild to severe.
Read this news by indiatoday
‘Locked himself in the bathroom…’: Rakesh Roshan on Hrithik’s silent battle with stammering and how he overcame it
Known for his faultless line delivery and assured on-screen persona, actor Hrithik Roshan once struggled with a speech impairment that made it hard to utter even the most basic sentences. At the age of six, he started to struggle with stammering, and it took him about thirty years of consistent work to get over it. His father, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, talked candidly about the actor's mute struggles and how he forced himself to speak eloquently in a recent interview with ANI.
I used to feel sorry for him because he had so much to say. Rakesh revealed, "He was really brilliant and well-educated, but he used to hold himself back because of his stuttering. "Once, I remember he was in Dubai, and he just wanted to say 'Thank you, Dubai,' but he used to get stuck on the letter 'D,'" he continued, recalling a particularly trying time. In order to memorize those two sentences, he locked himself in the restroom. "He is such a forward-thinking man, but something was holding him back," he added. But he put a lot of effort into it.
Read this news by indianexpress
Sharad Kelkar opens up on voicing 'Wolverine': As a child, I stammered, that’s why I fought
Known for his commanding presence on screen in movies and television shows, actor Sharad Kelkar has assumed a new role as the voice of the legendary Marvel character Wolverine in the Hindi Audible Original series Marvel's Wastelanders. In an open interview with The Free Press Journal, Kelkar disclosed that this voiceover project was extremely personal in addition to being a significant career achievement. He stammered a lot as a child, which made it hard for him to express himself verbally and frequently resulted in mockery.
Looking back on those difficult years, Kelkar revealed that, like "Wolverine," he turned to action when words could not express his feelings. This similar characteristic of expressing more via movement than words is what makes him emotionally connect with the character, who is renowned for his rawness and roughness.
Read this news by timesofindia
Child with Down's syndrome finds success in modelling
According to the parents of a seven-year-old boy with Down syndrome, his success as a model demonstrates that kids with the disorder are capable of anything.
One of the faces of Burberry's Children's Summer 2025 campaign is Rio, who is from Bath, Somerset. In the past, he has modeled and starred in advertisements for a number of companies, such as CBeebies, Little Bird, and Primark. Zebedee, an inclusive modeling agency, represents him. "These kids can do amazing things, and it's not all doom and gloom; it's not scary; it's not something to be afraid of," his mother, Kimberley, said. We simply want to convey and demonstrate to everyone that they are just like everyone else.
Read this news by bbc
Horse therapy programme in Namibia brings joy to children with learning disabilities
Horses have always been a part of De Meyer's life; she grew up on a farm with them all around. One of their most valuable qualities, according to her, is that they do not pass judgment on the youngsters, regardless of their differences.
WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA: Different kids react differently to Susan de Meyer's ponies. While nonverbal kids are inspired to interact and form bonds with them, hyperactive kids learn to be a little quieter around them. In Namibia, a country in southern Africa, De Meyer oversees a program that uses the strength and tenderness of horses to assist kids with autism, ADHD, and other difficulties.
Every weekday morning, a group of eight to ten kids from one of the special schools de Meyer assists brighten up her dusty pasture outside Windhoek, the capital. According to de Meyer, the kids frequently converse with the horses in addition to riding, brushing, and petting them.
Read this news by timesofindia
20-yr-old aspires to raise army of volunteers with special needs to fight drug abuse in state
Rajan Preet Singh Bains, a twenty-year-old man with cerebral palsy, is making every effort to inspire young people with unique talents to take on leadership roles and support the Punjab Police's anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashian Virudh.
Rajan Preet Singh Bains, a twenty-year-old man with cerebral palsy, is making every effort to inspire young people with unique talents to take on leadership roles and support the Punjab Police's anti-drug initiative, Yudh Nashian Virudh. People with Down syndrome, autism, intellectual challenges, and physical impairments are among his target groups. With multiple important medals and recognitions at the state and national levels, Bains has already had a significant influence in the fields of academics, leadership, and social service. He has also brought honors to his family, which is led by Sukhwinder Kaur and DSP (Special) Ranjit Singh Bains.
Bains recently received the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan Award at the national level for placing second in a competition to write essays about drug misuse. He received recognition for writing the song "Nasha Mukt Rangla Punjab," which the Ahmedgarh and Amargarh police used as social media content. When Patiala DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu gave him the Commendation Certificate (Second Class), he also brought notoriety to the local police.
Read this news by tribuneindia
Meenakshi Mission Hospital’s Neurodiversity- Provides Specialised Assessments & Medical Support for Children with Autism & Down Syndrome
In celebration of World Autism and Down Syndrome Day, Meenakshi Mission Hospital & Research Centre (MMHRC) in Madurai recently held Neurodiversity 2025, a unique event that brought together more than 70 families of children with autism and Down syndrome. The event, which had as its theme "Aware, Accept, and Accommodate," included a comprehensive special camp that offered children and their families critical help through specialized assessments, medical consultations, and screenings.
The Chief Guest was Dr. Mary Lalitha, a well-known developmental pediatrician from Vellamadam, Kanyakumari. Several important dignitaries were also present at the program, including Dr. Ramesh Arthanari, MMHRC's medical director; Dr. A. Kannan, head of the pediatric department at the Neonatology & Child Development Center; and Dr. B. Kannan, MMHRC's medical administrator, who reaffirmed the hospital's dedication to helping neurodiverse children and their families.
Read this news by expressnews
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