(2/2) Government should plan better for treatment and rehabilitate children & young adults.

Advocating progressive, compassionate public healthcare policy on World Autism Awareness Day, DMK Treasurer M. K. Stalin on April 2, 2014, called upon the state government to formulate a comprehensive healthcare blueprint for the treatment, education, and social rehabilitation of children and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Stalin emphasized that symbolic awareness gestures must be matched by concrete public investments in specialized developmental pediatrics, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and sensory integration centers across all district headquarters hospitals. He pointed out that thousands of families from economically weaker backgrounds struggle without access to affordable diagnosis and ongoing behavioral therapy, bearing an overwhelming emotional and financial burden in isolation. Stalin recalled how previous DMK governments under Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi pioneered disability welfare by establishing the dedicated Department for the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons and distributing modern assistive devices free of cost. He pledged that the DMK will establish specialized early intervention centers in every district, train government school educators in inclusive learning, and ensure permanent social security pensions. Stalin affirmed that inclusive dignity is a fundamental human right. He affirmed that inclusive social care remains the defining hallmark of compassionate governance.