India Autism Center (IAC) participated in the first National Assisted Living Facility Organisations Consortium Conclave 2026 (ALFOC), a day-long forum aimed at advancing assisted living solutions for individuals with special needs.

The conclave brought together key stakeholders from across the assisted living ecosystem, including Jaishankar Natarajan, Neena Wagh, Mugdha Kalra, Seema Chadha, Sangeeta Jain, Updesh, Kavita Beniwal, and Jitendra PS Solanki, among others.

As part of the discussions, Natarajan introduced IAC’s upcoming residential initiative, Samaavesh, being developed in Kolkata. Envisioned as one of India’s largest lifelong residential care ecosystems for neurodiverse individuals, Samaavesh aims to address the growing need for structured, long-term support.

“India is at a critical juncture when it comes to planning lifelong care for individuals with autism and other developmental conditions,” said Natarajan. “As life expectancy increases, the urgency to build robust, future-ready residential ecosystems becomes more pronounced. Through Samaavesh, we aim to create a holistic and sustainable model that ensures dignity, independence, and continuity of care.”

A key highlight of the conclave was a panel discussion moderated by Kalra, where sector leaders shared insights into both the operational and emotional dimensions of assisted living, underscoring the need for integrated and compassionate care models.

Commenting on the initiative, Wagh emphasized the importance of structured ecosystem development. “Families are not just looking for care, but reassurance and belonging for their loved ones. There is a growing need for clear standards, shared guidelines, and sustained support for organisations working in this space,” she said, adding that platforms like ALFOC are crucial in fostering dialogue and driving collaborative progress.