What Action For Autism does

Action For Autism (AFA) is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 in New Delhi that pioneered the autism movement in India and South Asia. It operates the National Centre for Autism in Jasola Vihar, New Delhi, delivering a vertically integrated set of services spanning education (Open Door Day school, B.Ed Special Education ASD program, Diploma in Special Education), therapies, family support, advocacy, research, vocational training (Aadhaar Vocational Centre), and assisted living (ANANDA Supported Living). A National Helpline and a nationwide directory of autism resources extend its reach beyond its single physical site into a national service network.

AFA's go-to-market model is built on awareness, training, and standards-setting rather than fee-for-service scale. Historically funded by grants from institutions including the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Action Aid, and Irish Aid, AFA has executed large-scale awareness projects targeting paediatricians (1998-2001 and 2007) and used mass media (the Aap Ki Antara television serial in 2009) to mainstream autism awareness. The organization's business model combines institutional grants, individual donations, and increasingly digital donation channels such as GlobalGiving and Amazon Gift A Smile, supplemented by fee-bearing professional training programs and event-based fundraising.

Competitive positioning rests on first-mover brand recognition, a credentialed training pipeline, and regulatory registrations (FCRA, PWD Act). Internationally, founder Merry Barua's INSAR 2015 Advocate Award and a presentation at the UN World Autism Awareness Day have established AFA as a recognized voice in global autism advocacy, with institutional linkages including UCLA. Core technology is not disclosed, and there is no evidence of AI/ML capabilities; differentiation is human-expertise-led rather than software-led.

Name

Action For Autism

Legal name

Action For Autism

Website

https://autism-india.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Action For Autism is a New Delhi-based not-for-profit founded in 1991 that pioneered India's autism movement, providing education, therapies, vocational training, family support, advocacy, and assisted living for individuals with autism across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autism Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (611710), Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Autism-Specific Schools & Programs (EDAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Autism Early Intervention (Educational) (EDAKAKAB), Autism Teacher Training & Professional Development (EDAKAKAL), Autism Parent/Caregiver Education & Training (School-Linked) (EDAKAKAJ), Autism Classroom & School Program Support (Inclusion/Resource) (EDAKAKAC), Autism 1:1 Paraprofessional / Aide Support Services (EDAKAKAD)

Keywords

• Autism services
• Special education
• Vocational training
• Family support services
• Disability advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Action For Autism delivers direct services and programmes for individuals with autism across the lifespan through its National Centre for Autism in New Delhi. Offerings include the Open Door Day Programme, Aadhaar Vocational Centre for young adults, Parent-Child Training Programme, and ANANDA Supported Living services. The organization also runs professional training (B.Ed in Special Education (ASD), Diploma, short-term trainings), a national helpline, the Indian Autism Registry, and worldwide organisations directory, alongside advocacy and awareness initiatives.

Product overview

Action For Autism operates as a national not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive range of autism services in India. The organization offers direct service programmes including the Open Door Day Programme for children and adults, the Aadhaar Vocational Centre for young adults with autism, and the Parent-Child Training Programme. Educational offerings include a B.Ed in Special Education (ASD), Diploma in Special Education, and short-term/customized trainings. The organization maintains a National Helpline, Indian Autism Registry, and an extensive worldwide organisations database. Advocacy efforts include professional awareness projects targeting healthcare providers, media engagement initiatives, and policy advocacy. Additional services encompass publications, an Autism Network Journal, and assisted living through the ANANDA programme. The organization functions as a service provider rather than a technology product company, focusing on direct intervention, training, advocacy, and support for individuals with autism and their families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AmazonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAFA partners with Amazon through their Wishlist program. Amazon's Gift A Smile initiative allows supporters to purchase items from AFA's wishlist to support their programs.
• University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, Center for Culture and Health, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior - listed as a partner/supporter. Collaboration likely involves research and training support.
• GlobalGivingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAFA partners with GlobalGiving for the ANANDA project - supported living services for individuals with autism. Donations can be made through the GlobalGiving platform.
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVSO volunteers have served at AFA, including Speech and Language Therapists who strengthened service delivery and shared skills with families, teachers and staff.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Autism Society of America: US national grassroots autism organization providing advocacy, education, information, and support services. Comparable as a broad national autism support and advocacy non-profit.
• Autism Speaks: Large US-based autism advocacy and research organization with awareness campaigns, research grants, and family services. Comparable as a globally scaled autism awareness, advocacy, and research non-profit.
• National Autistic Society (UK): UK's leading autism charity providing information, support, training, and advocacy for autistic people and families. Comparable as a large, established national autism non-profit with training, advocacy, and helpline offerings.

Regional players

• Ability Foundation (India): Indian non-profit focused on disability awareness, rehabilitation, and inclusion across multiple disability categories. Comparable as a peer Indian disability-services NGO with awareness, advocacy, and family support work.
• Special Olympics India: Indian arm of Special Olympics providing sports training and competition for persons with intellectual disabilities including autism. Comparable as a peer Indian disability-inclusion organization with awareness and family-engagement programming.
• National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP, India): Indian advocacy organization promoting employment and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Comparable as a peer Indian disability-focused NGO with overlapping employment, advocacy, and policy interests for autistic adults.

Emerging players

• Enabling Devices / Inclusive Education Trust (India): Indian organization focused on inclusive education policy, teacher training, and classroom support for children with disabilities including autism. Comparable as an emerging peer addressing teacher training and inclusive classroom practice — overlapping with AFA's B.Ed and training work.

Direct peers

• Ummeed Child Development Center (India): Mumbai-based Indian non-profit offering multidisciplinary child development and disability services including autism assessment, therapy, and family support. Comparable as a peer Indian child-disability services non-profit with assessment, therapy, and training programmes.
• Forum for Autism (India): India-based non-profit focused on autism awareness, advocacy, and support for families. Directly comparable as a peer Indian autism advocacy and services NGO serving the same 18M+ population of autistic individuals.
• Together for Autism Foundation (India): Indian non-profit providing autism services, training, and awareness. Directly comparable as a peer organization offering autism support programmes and family services within India.

Market position

Strengths2 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCcbu9Bx1XgKtAbudwnsxIog
• Facebookfacebook.com/actionforautism.nationalcentreforautism
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/action-for-autism-national-centre-for-autism
• Instagraminstagram.com/actionforautism.india/?hl=en
• Xx.com/Action4AutismIN

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Action For Autism