In a pioneering move for neurodevelopmental care in Eastern India, Desun Hospital, Kolkata is set to launch the region’s first hospital-based Autism & Neurodevelopment Support Centre, developed in collaboration with Bangalore-based Behavior Momentum India (BMI), India’s leading institute for Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that affects how individuals communicate, behave, and relate to others. It typically manifests in early childhood and varies widely in presentation, from individuals who communicate and learn in unique ways, to those needing significant support in daily living. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1 out of 100 children worldwide is diagnosed with autism.
This initiative by Desun marks a significant milestone for healthcare in West Bengal, the first time a hospital from the state is integrating global standards of autism intervention directly into its medical infrastructure. Desun’s autism therapy centre will be located within 250 meters of Desun Hospital, offering direct access to paediatrics, emergency services, diagnostics, and therapy units. This proximity enables seamless, multi-disciplinary support for children with autism, especially those with additional medical needs.
The first phase of recruitment for Assistant Behaviour Technicians (ABTs) began on 17 May 2025 from Mahishadal in East Midnapore, with Desun’s clinical and training teams leading the outreach. The initiative seeks compassionate, motivated individuals who will undergo formal training in early behavioural intervention to work with children on the autism spectrum.
“This is not just a new department for our hospital, it’s a new direction for healthcare in the region,” said *Shaoli Dutta, Group Director, Desun Hospitals*. “By embedding ABA within a hospital ecosystem, we are bringing evidence-based early intervention to families who have long needed timely, accessible support—many for the very first time.”
The Centre is being developed in collaboration with BMI a reputed ABA service provider, whose leadership includes Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs) trained in the US. BMI will provide Desun with specialists trained in the US and will also oversee both ABT training and therapy protocols to ensure global clinical standards are met.
*Ms Gouri De, Director, Desun Health City Foundation*, the umbrella body for Desun’s beyond-healthcare and CSR initiatives, highlighted the project’s long-term social vision. “This Centre embodies our commitment to dignity, inclusion, and early support. Every child deserves a chance to thrive. We are investing in people, systems, and science to make that happen, starting right here in West Bengal.”
Recruitment efforts will expand in the coming weeks to additional districts across West Bengal and select locations in the Northeast, including Sikkim and Tripura, as Desun lays the foundation for a skilled, culturally attuned autism care workforce in Eastern India.