Safdarjung Hospital Achieves Milestone by Starting Autism Intervention Clinic.

Mahesh Dhondiyal | Delhi.

The Department of Pediatrics at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital (SJH), under the guidance of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Medical Superintendent Dr. Vandana Talwar, is launching Early Intervention services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the existing Child Development Centre. This innovative clinic will provide free services through a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting children in early childhood, often resulting in lifelong disabilities. With global prevalence rising to 1 in 36 children, the need for dedicated services has become critical. Early diagnosis and intensive intervention by specialists can significantly improve outcomes for affected children and their families.

The clinic's comprehensive team includes pediatric neurologists, developmental pediatricians, psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language pathologists, special educators, and trained nursing personnel. Along with specialized autism interventions, the center will continue to provide existing services such as EEG, BERA, NCV, and vision assessment diagnostics. Initially operating weekly, the clinic aims to expand to daily services in the near future.

This achievement stems from the tireless efforts of the hospital administration and key personnel. Dr. Ratan Gupta, HOD Pediatrics, credits Dr. Rachna Sehgal, Professor Pediatrics, for initiating the Child Development Centre and gradually expanding its services. The success also reflects the dedication of team members including Dr. Archana Kashyap, Professor Pediatrics, Dr. Arpita Gupta, Associate Professor Pediatrics, and numerous allied professionals. 

As one of the few public sector facilities in Delhi offering holistic, multidisciplinary intervention for autism, this clinic represents a significant step forward in providing accessible care. The department expresses gratitude to the ministry and hospital administration for their guidance and looks forward to offering hope to numerous children requiring early intervention who cannot afford costly private treatment elsewhere.