India Autism Center Advocates For Inclusive Residential Care Models At 1st National ALFOC Conclave

India Autism Center (IAC), a leading not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals with autism and related developmental conditions, participated in the first National Assisted Living Facility Organisations Consortium (ALFOC) Conclave, a day-long seminar focused on advancing dialogue around assisted living for individuals with special needs. Currently developing Samaavesh, India’s largest lifelong residential care ecosystem for neurodiverse individuals, IAC’s participation reflected its strong commitment to building a more inclusive, informed, and supportive community framework.

The conclave convened prominent voices from across the assisted living ecosystem, including Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan (Director and CEO, India Autism Center), alongside Ms. Neena Wagh (Founder Director – ALFOC), Ms. Mugdha Kalra (Journalist & PhD Scholar – Assisted Living), Ms. Seema Chadha (Muskaan PAEPID), Ms. Sangeeta Jain (Founder & CEO – Ekya Assisted Living), Col. Updesh (PACT Assisted Living), Ms. Kavita Beniwal (Samarth Assisted Living), and Mr. Jitendra PS Solanki (RIA, Estate Planner & Special Needs Planner), among other key stakeholders shaping the assisted living landscape.

Bringing together experts, practitioners, and families, the conclave served as a collaborative platform to deliberate on the future of residential care in India. As part of the discussions, Mr. Jaishankar Natarajan, Director and CEO – India Autism Center (IAC), led a session introducing IAC’s upcoming residential initiative, Samaavesh, in Kolkata. In his address, he shared, “India is at a critical juncture when it comes to planning lifelong care for individuals with autism and other developmental conditions. As life expectancy increases, the urgency to build robust, future-ready residential ecosystems becomes even more pronounced. Assisted living must be designed to ensure dignity, independence, and continuity of care across every life stage. Through Samaavesh, we aim to create a holistic and sustainable model that empowers individuals while providing families with long-term assurance and support.”

A key highlight was the panel discussion moderated by Ms. Mugdha Kalra, which brought together sector leaders to share practical insights into the operational and emotional aspects of assisted living.

About the 1st National ALFOC Conclave 2026, Ms Neena Wagh, Founder, Director, ALFOC, shared, "The conversation around assisted living in India is steadily gaining momentum, yet for many families, the journey still feels uncertain and fragmented. What they seek is not just care, but reassurance, spaces where their loved ones can live with dignity and a true sense of belonging. At the same time, there is a growing need to shape this ecosystem with intention through clear standards, shared guidelines, and sustained handholding for those working to build meaningful solutions for the parent community. Initiatives like ALFOC play a vital role in this journey, by fostering dialogue and sharing best practices, as well as by driving a more conscious, collaborative movement towards care that is both accessible and deeply compassionate."

By actively engaging with sector leaders and advancing its vision through Samaavesh, IAC seeks to play a defining role in building a more structured, collaborative, and future-ready assisted living ecosystem for individuals with special needs.