IIT Madras to Set Up Centre of Excellence for Neurodiversity

Indian Institute of Technology Madras has announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Neurodiversity to promote research, develop assistive technologies, and create sustainable employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.

The proposal was unveiled during the Neurodiversity Summit 2026, where researchers, policymakers, industry experts, NGOs, and community stakeholders discussed strategies to build a more inclusive ecosystem.

The proposed centre will focus on:

• Digital assessment tools

• Personalized assistive technologies

• Adaptive vocational training

• Capacity building and collaborative research

IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti emphasized the need for early identification, affordable assistive technologies, skilled educators, and meaningful employment opportunities for neurodivergent individuals.

As part of the initial action plan, IIT Madras and its partners will pilot AI-based recommendation systems, adaptive training platforms, assistive technologies, prototype nodal centres, and a digital platform connecting neurodivergent individuals with employers, mentors, researchers, and funding opportunities. The initiative also aims to generate evidence to support future public policies on inclusion.