News of the Month August 2025

News of the Month – August 2025 brings together some of the most important updates and highlights from across the disability, healthcare, and education sectors. This month has witnessed significant strides in legal reforms, inclusive policies, and awareness drives aimed at empowering neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities. From a landmark PIL in the Supreme Court to government initiatives supporting inclusive education and fresh medical advisories, August has been a month of both challenges and progress.

PIL in SC Seeks Systemic Reforms for Rights of Autistic and Neurodivergent Persons; Notice Issued

A parent-led support group advocating for the rights of people with autism spectrum disorder filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court recently, claiming that the State had failed to uphold its constitutional and statutory obligations to people with neurodivergent conditions, such as autism, dyslexia, and ADHD, and that institutional neglect and systemic apathy were to blame. SC Requests Center's Reaction to Subramanian Swamy's Request for Monument Status in the Ram Setu Case In a ruling dated August 8, the bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and KV Viswanathan stated, "Notice respondent nos. 1 through 5 only for the time being on the petitioner's principal relief(s) and prayer for temporary respite, which must be returned by August 29, 2025. The petitioner's knowledgeable attorney may use the Central Agency to serve the respondent or respondents and the Union of India.

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Using Paracetamol During Pregnancy? Harvard Experts Warn It May Increase Autism, ADHD Risk

According to a recent study, acetaminophen, also referred to as paracetamol, may increase the risk of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children exposed to the analgesic during pregnancy. The most widely used medication for pain relief in the world, paracetamol, has been the subject of intense examination in recent years. Over 100,000 participants from 46 prior studies were analyzed under the direction of experts from Mount Sinai and Harvard's School of Public Health. For the study, the researchers synthesized and assessed environmental health data using the gold-standard Navigation Guide Systematic Review approach.

The researchers gathered comprehensive information about the timing of paracetamol use, including whether it occurred during the first, second, or third trimester or over the entire pregnancy, and connected it to the medical records of the mothers.

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From India’s largest library in Amaravati to autism centres, Andhra Pradesh govt has some plans for education

The government of Andhra Pradesh has a number of plans for education, including the construction of India's largest central library in Amaravati, the opening of new autistic centers throughout the state, and the yearly selection committee drives for hiring teachers. Andhra Pradesh's minister of information technology, electronics and communications, real-time governance, and human resources development, Nara Lokesh, unveiled the plans and said that the planned library would transform Amaravati, the state's future capital, into "a world-class hub of knowledge." These statements follow the NGO Pratham Foundation's Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2024, which revealed notable learning gaps among pupils in rural Andhra Pradesh schools.

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‘Virtual autism’ robbing kids of healthy childhood

Hyderabad: Doctors caution that there is no "safe-limit" on children's screen time. Physicians at Hyderabad's public and private hospitals are observing a startling increase in what they refer to as "virtual autism," a disorder in which youngsters exhibit symptoms similar to autism that are brought on by excessive screen time and digital exposure rather than genetic factors. Reports of one or two cases per month have increased to three or four cases per month, especially in younger children.

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Delhi HC forms expert panel to decide autistic student’s school

A committee of specialists was established by the Delhi High Court on Tuesday to determine whether an eight-year-old girl with autism is medically qualified to be admitted to GD Goenka School or to facilities specifically created for children with special needs (CWSN). After the school argued that her studying with other children in the class could jeopardize their safety and not be in their best interests, a bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyay and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela ordered the committee's formation. The school's representative, Kamal Gupta, displayed a report from a top psychiatrist dated July 17 that suggested putting the girl in a school that serves CWSN.

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Sebi asks institutions to ensure digital access for special-needs persons

In accordance with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, the capital markets regulator ordered all regulated businesses on Thursday to make their digital platforms accessible to people with disabilities. In a circular, Sebi stated, "The move is aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities and ensuring their full and effective participation in the securities market". The directive comes in the wake of an April 30, 2025, Supreme Court decision that acknowledged digital access as a basic right under the right to life and liberty. All Sebi-regulated entities (REs), including as stock exchanges, clearing organizations, depositories, brokers, mutual funds, and KYC agencies, are subject to the mandate. To provide access to websites, mobile apps, and other platforms, they must guarantee adherence to important clauses of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act and associated regulations.

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Indian Navy Strengthens Inclusive Welfare to Support PwIDDs and Families with Special Needs – Details Inside

The Indian Navy's Naval Welfare Cell (NWeC) has reaffirmed its dedication to welfare and inclusivity by entering into a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jagruti Rehab Centre Pvt. Ltd. to provide specialized care and support for PwIDDs among its active and retired personnel as well as their families. In a recent formal ceremony, Dr. Amar Shinde, Director of Jagruti Rehab Center, and Commodore V.K. Jha, Commodore (Naval Welfare), signed the Memorandum of Understanding.

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From Struggle to Strength: How Sankalp is Transforming Special Needs Education in Vadodara

Thousands of children from disadvantaged areas in Vadodara, like many other cities in India, suffer from developmental problems such autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and speech abnormalities. These children, who are frequently unseen by society, suffer from poverty, stigma, and lack of access to therapy and education, which leads to neglect and marginalization. Since its founders were homeopathic physicians who had personally experienced these hard realities, Sankalp was founded out of a genuine compassion. According to a founder, "these children remain highly dependent on their families in the absence of prompt and specialized intervention."

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Differently abled students in govt schools to get regular physiotherapy

Prayagraj: To improve their quality of life and academic potential, Prayagraj government schools will henceforth provide regular physiotherapy sessions to children with impairments. The program is a component of Samagra Shiksha's Integrated Education component. The program focuses on children with disabilities who are already enrolled in school and are between the ages of 6 and 14. According to Devvrat Singh of Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), Rajendra Kumar Yadav, a physiotherapist, was temporarily hired for the 2025–2026 school year, ending on May 31, 2026. Every 20 working days of the month, he is required to visit at least 50 schools and offer therapy to every identified child at least twice. According to medical advice, the services will be extended to children who need physical rehabilitation.

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‘PrAYAAS’: Children to be screened for speech and hearing difficulties in Karnataka’s Chamarajanagar dist.

On August 15, at Karinajanapura in the district, the Chamarajanagar district administration will launch "PrAYAAS"—the Programme for Assessment of Young Children for Auditory and Speech-Language Skills—in partnership with the Departments of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AIISH and the district government will be signed during the inauguration, and a public awareness poster about speech, language, and hearing health will be unveiled. According to AIISH, PrAYAAS seeks to identify all children aged 6 months to 6 years in the Chamarajanagar district who may have speech, language, or hearing difficulties. Research shows that approximately 14% of children are at risk for these issues, which, if untreated, can impair their overall development.

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Govt launches programme for hearing impaired children in patna dist

Patna: On Monday, Mangal Pandey, the health minister, introduced Shravan Shruti, a program that aims to evaluate, treat, and rehabilitate children with hearing impairments in all 23 blocks of the Patna district. In the presence of Patna district magistrate (DM) Thiyagarajan SM, who had initially made the idea during his prior appointment in Gaya in the same role, the program was introduced during an event hosted at Gyan Bhawan in the city. The minister told a crowd that the Shravan Shruti program, which was initially implemented in the Gaya district by the then-DM Thiyagarajan, had been a lifeline for newborns with hearing abnormalities. "As many as 1,839 children, who could not speak a single word, started to speak," stated the minister.

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Nuance Audio Glasses feature ‘invisible’ speakers to address hearing loss

The city of Minneapolis At the Optometry Meeting, EssilorLuxottica's Nuance Audio Glasses—new spectacles with "invisible" speakers integrated into the arms to treat hearing loss—were on exhibit. According to a press release, Nuance Audio Glasses were introduced in the United States in April and are FDA-registered as an over-the-counter hearing aid. The glasses are designed for those who self-report mild to moderate hearing loss and are at least 18 years old. By connecting the glasses to a smartphone app, users may adjust the volume, turn on noise reduction, and choose between "frontal" and "all-around" modes that enhance sounds from various locations surrounding the wearer. According to the release, the glasses use beamforming technology to reduce background noise and enhance the clarity of certain sounds.

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From judicial action to government initiatives and medical research, these developments in August 2025 underline the urgent need for reforms and greater support systems for individuals with disabilities. Together, these efforts contribute to shaping a society where inclusivity, accessibility, and dignity are prioritized for all.