Experts in Bengaluru have called for a fundamental rethink of how digital tools and artificial intelligence are designed and deployed in autism care, urging that technology remain flexible, human‑centred and responsive to individual needs. The recommendations emerged at the third Global Autism Convention organised by St John’s National Academy of Health Sciences, in association with several organisations.
Background/Context
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects roughly 1 in 54 children worldwide, and in India the prevalence is estimated at 1.5 %. Bengaluru, a hub for technology and healthcare, has seen a surge in digital interventions aimed at early diagnosis, behavioural therapy and skill development. Yet, many of these tools are built on rigid behavioural models that fail to account for the diverse cultural, linguistic and developmental profiles of Indian children. The convention’s theme, “Autism in the Global South: Culture, Community, and Neurodiversity,” reflects a growing recognition that one‑size‑fits‑all solutions are inadequate in low‑resource settings.
Key Developments
During the symposium titled Digital Tools & AI‑Based Interventions, several breakthroughs were highlighted:
- Open‑source iPad‑mediated therapy – Developed in Bengaluru, this platform allows therapists to customise prompts and responses in real time, adapting to a child’s unique communication style.
- Multimodal data integration – Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) demonstrated a prototype that fuses eye‑tracking, facial expression analysis and EEG signals to predict behavioural escalations before they occur.
- Early‑identification algorithms – AI models trained on local datasets can flag ASD indicators as early as 9–12 months, a significant improvement over conventional clinical observation.
- Community‑driven design workshops – Parents, teachers and therapists participated in co‑creation sessions to ensure that digital tools align with local cultural norms and caregiver capacities.
“Some children are highly tech‑savvy, while others may avoid screens entirely,” said Alice Mamaga Akosua Amoako, an autism advocate and app developer from Ghana. “Parents, caregivers, teachers and professionals must understand each child’s individual needs, interests, age and developmental level before choosing any digital or AI‑based intervention.”
Matthew K. Belmonte of Nottingham Trent University highlighted the exclusion of minimally speaking autistic individuals from research. He showcased the Bengaluru‑developed therapy, noting that “digital platforms should function as enablers rather than constraints.” He explained that recognising the moment of departure from contact on an iPad can provide a more accurate reflection of a child’s intention, improving the system’s responsiveness.
Professor Suresh Sundaram of IISc challenged the prevailing deterministic behavioural models. “Behaviour emerges from functional brain networks, muscle memory and subtle emotional signals, not deterministic rules,” he said. He advocated for probabilistic, data‑driven approaches that incorporate multimodal data such as brain signals, behaviour, language, vision and physiology. By using vision‑based systems and sensors, it becomes possible to study gaze patterns and emotional changes more closely, he added. “These micro‑emotions play a critical role in behaviour and can easily go unnoticed,” he noted.
Impact Analysis
The shift towards human‑centred digital tools has several implications for families, clinicians and the broader Bengaluru community:
- Increased accessibility – Open‑source platforms reduce cost barriers, allowing more families to access evidence‑based interventions.
- Personalised care – Multimodal data integration enables therapists to tailor interventions to each child’s strengths and challenges.
- Early intervention – AI‑driven screening can identify ASD signs months before a clinical diagnosis, potentially improving long‑term outcomes.
- Reduced caregiver burden – Automated monitoring and adaptive therapy reduce the need for constant supervision, giving caregivers more flexibility.
- Data privacy concerns – The collection of sensitive biometric data raises questions about consent, storage and usage, especially in a low‑resource setting.
For students and researchers in Bengaluru, these developments open new avenues for interdisciplinary collaboration between computer science, neuroscience, psychology and public health. The convention’s emphasis on local realities means that innovations are more likely to be adopted and sustained in the region.
Expert Insights & Tips
To help stakeholders navigate the evolving landscape of digital tools autism care Bengaluru, experts offered practical guidance:
- Conduct a needs assessment – Before adopting a tool, evaluate the child’s developmental profile, family dynamics and technological literacy.
- Choose open‑source or locally developed solutions – These are often more adaptable and cost‑effective.
- Prioritise data security – Ensure that platforms comply with local data protection regulations and obtain informed consent from caregivers.
- Integrate human oversight – AI should augment, not replace, professional judgement. Regular review of algorithmic outputs is essential.
- Engage caregivers in co‑design – Their insights can uncover cultural nuances that affect tool usability.
- Monitor for bias – Validate AI models on diverse datasets to avoid reinforcing existing disparities.
Dr. Vijaya Raman, chair of the convention, emphasized that “digital tools and AI are also transforming early identification – flagging signs of autism much earlier than clinical observation alone.” She urged stakeholders to adopt a flexible, iterative approach that allows tools to evolve with emerging evidence and user feedback.
Looking Ahead
As Bengaluru continues to position itself at the intersection of technology and healthcare, the next steps include:
- Establishing a regional data repository for ASD research that respects privacy while enabling large‑scale analytics.
- Developing certification standards for digital interventions to ensure quality and safety.
- Expanding community outreach programs to train caregivers and teachers in using AI‑enhanced tools.
- Securing public‑private partnerships to subsidise access for low‑income families.
- Conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long‑term impact of early AI‑based screening on educational and social outcomes.
These initiatives aim to create a sustainable ecosystem where digital tools autism care Bengaluru can thrive, delivering personalised, culturally relevant support to children on the spectrum and their families.
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