INDOCLEFTCON 2026 at AIISH Mysuru: Exploring the Future of Cleft Care and Digital Rehabilitation

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Written by Brijith Maria Anto
Subject Specialist – Speech Language Pathology

Introduction  

The field of cleft and craniofacial rehabilitation continues to evolve through interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based practice, and technology-driven solutions. INDOCLEFTCON 2026, held at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing (AIISH), Mysuru from May 7–9, 2026, brought together clinicians, surgeons, speech-language pathologists, researchers, academicians, and rehabilitation professionals from across the country to discuss emerging perspectives in cleft care and rehabilitation.

The conference created a valuable platform for exchanging clinical knowledge, discussing multidisciplinary management approaches, and exploring how technology can support therapy, accessibility, and long-term rehabilitation outcomes.

Representing XceptionalLEARNING at the conference provided an enriching opportunity to interact with professionals and demonstrate the growing role of digital rehabilitation solutions in modern therapy practice.

Day 1: Building Conversations Around Digital Rehabilitation  

The first day of the conference began with the inaugural ceremony followed by plenary sessions and panel discussions focusing on standardized national treatment timelines and collaborative decision-making in cleft care.

Alongside the academic sessions, the XceptionalLEARNING Portal stall received significant attention from delegates and rehabilitation professionals attending the conference. Many clinicians and therapy professionals visited the stall to understand how digital platforms can support therapy planning, documentation, workflow management, and multidisciplinary service delivery.

One of the major areas of discussion revolved around:

  • data privacy and security
  • therapist usability
  • clinical workflow integration
  • technology-assisted rehabilitation practices
  • digital accessibility in therapy settings

The interactions reflected a growing curiosity among professionals regarding sustainable digital systems in rehabilitation and therapy practice.

We also had the opportunity to meet and interact with several distinguished professionals, including:

  • Dr. Pushpavathi
  • Dr. B. Subramaniyan
  • Ms. Renu Mehta
  • representatives from Smile Train

These discussions highlighted the increasing importance of integrating technology with interdisciplinary cleft care services and rehabilitation management.

Day 2: Interdisciplinary Learning and Clinical Innovation  

The second day featured keynote orations, discussions on equity and accessibility in cleft care, and specialized sessions covering genetics, craniofacial surgery, AI in orthodontics, fetal medicine, and instrument-based speech assessments.

Throughout the day, the XceptionalLEARNING Portal stall continued to attract clinicians, academicians, students, and rehabilitation professionals interested in understanding the practical applications of digital therapy platforms in clinical settings.

Many attendees explored how the portal could assist therapists through:

  • structured clinical documentation
  • therapy management support
  • digital accessibility
  • technology-enhanced intervention planning
  • organized rehabilitation workflow systems

Several professionals discussed the challenges involved in maintaining clinical records and managing multidisciplinary therapy services efficiently. Many showed interest in how digital rehabilitation platforms could simplify service delivery while improving accessibility and workflow efficiency.

A noticeable trend throughout the conference was the growing interest in technology-assisted rehabilitation systems and structured digital therapy solutions across clinical practice.

Day 3: Expanding Possibilities Through Technology  

The final day of the conference focused on psychosocial aspects of cleft care, research perspectives, intervention challenges, feeding management, digital innovations in speech intervention, and telepractice services.

A memorable highlight of the day was the opportunity to provide a live demonstration of the XceptionalLEARNING Portal to Mr. Sundareshan. The discussion included the portal’s features, therapist usability, clinical workflow integration, and practical implementation within therapy settings.

Live Demonstration of the XceptionalLEARNING Portal at INDOCLEFTCON 2026

Following the demonstration, he subscribed to the portal and expressed interest in implementing the system in his clinic. This interaction served as a meaningful example of how rehabilitation professionals are increasingly recognizing the value of digital therapy platforms in improving service delivery, documentation, and long-term rehabilitation management.

The conference concluded with the valedictory session, marking the end of three days filled with learning, collaboration, networking, and meaningful discussions on the future of cleft care and rehabilitation technology.

Reflections From the Conference  

Attending INDOCLEFTCON 2026 was a professionally enriching experience that emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, digital accessibility, and technology integration in modern rehabilitation practices.

Beyond the academic discussions, the conference provided valuable opportunities to interact with experienced clinicians, understand emerging trends in cleft care, and explore how digital rehabilitation solutions can contribute to more efficient, accessible, and outcome-focused therapy services.

The experience reaffirmed how rehabilitation is steadily moving toward collaborative, technology-enabled models of care — where structured digital platforms are becoming an essential part of sustainable clinical practice.

XceptionalLEARNING remains committed to supporting therapists, clinicians, educators, and rehabilitation professionals through innovative digital solutions designed to enhance therapy management, accessibility, and rehabilitation outcomes.

Highlights From INDOCLEFTCON 2026  

Take a look at key moments from the conference, including professional interactions, clinical discussions, and digital rehabilitation demonstrations.

Explore the XceptionalLEARNING Portal

Discover how structured digital solutions can support therapy planning, documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and rehabilitation management across clinical settings.

Laying the Foundation for a Pan-India Digital Rehabilitation Model: Reflections from Project DHRISHTI

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Written By

Jasna K

Special Educator

As a special educator, I strongly believe that meaningful change in rehabilitation and inclusive education occurs when knowledge, practice, and systems work together. Between November 20 and December 17, I had the opportunity to be part of Project DHRISHTI—a technology-driven initiative focused on strengthening rehabilitation practices through structured digital integration. I remain deeply grateful to XceptionalLEARNING for trusting me with this opportunity and for being part of a team that believes in purposeful innovation.

Project DHRISHTI and the Role of Technology  

DHRISHTI – Digital Holistic Resource for Inclusive Support, Hybrid Therapy and Intervention is designed to support professionals working with Children with Special Needs (CwSN) by integrating technology into assessment, intervention, and documentation. In a field where consistency, clarity, and accountability are essential, technology serves as a powerful facilitator—enhancing professional efficiency while keeping the child at the centre of intervention.

The project is envisioned as a Pan-India initiative, adaptable across states and service delivery systems, while remaining grounded in real field requirements.

Training Setting and Context  

The training sessions were conducted in Vijayawada at HEAL, Thotappilly. The environment at HEAL played a significant role in the success of the programme. Its calm, well-organised setting supported focused learning, reflection, and collaboration, making it an ideal space for an intensive residential training model.

Professionals Trained and Training Approach  

The participants of the programme were special educators working within inclusive education systems, specifically Inclusive Education Resource Persons (IERPs) supporting CwSN at BHAVITHA Centres, and School Assistants (Spl.Ed) working with CwSN in regular inclusive school settings. In the initial phase of Project DHRISHTI, a pilot study was conducted to gain a clear understanding of their workflow patterns, field-level challenges, and working environments. Insights from this phase were instrumental in shaping the structure, content, and delivery of the training, ensuring alignment with real-world professional needs.

The training was implemented through three-day residential programmes conducted across multiple batches, allowing for focused engagement and uninterrupted learning. Sessions were facilitated collectively by the training team, creating a multidisciplinary and collaborative learning environment reflective of real rehabilitation practice.

A strong emphasis was placed on hands-on learning and real case-based documentation, with due importance given to ethical standards and confidentiality. Participants were guided through the complete professional process—from case history collection and assessment to goal setting and structured digital documentation—within a unified digital framework.

Rather than limiting the sessions to demonstrations alone, professionals actively worked with real case scenarios and were encouraged to apply the same processes to children from their own caseloads. This learning-by-doing approach played a critical role in bridging the gap between conceptual understanding and confident real-world application of technology.

Field Realities and Team Strength  

The training period was intensive. Continuous sessions, travel, and changing climatic conditions took a toll on health at times. However, the encouragement and strength drawn from the team made a significant difference. The leadership and reassurance provided by our Founder and CEO, Dr. Jino Arushi, and, in his absence, the steady guidance of Anjana Jyothi, Chief Commercial Officer, helped keep the team motivated and focused. The collective support within the team proved invaluable during demanding days.

Participant Response and Impact  

Participants were highly cooperative and receptive throughout the training. Their engagement reflected a growing understanding that technology can improve the overall quality of professional work, bring structure and clarity to documentation, and enable professionals to better showcase their productivity and outcomes. Observing the shift from initial hesitation to growing confidence reaffirmed the importance of guided, hands-on exposure to digital systems.

Collaboration and Implementation  

Project DHRISHTI is implemented as a collaborative initiative between Samagra Shiksha, Andhra Pradesh, and XceptionalLEARNING. This partnership ensured that the project remained system-aligned, field-relevant, and professionally empowering.

Looking Ahead  

This experience has strengthened my belief that technology, when introduced with sensitivity and strong professional guidance, can meaningfully transform rehabilitation practice. With upcoming phases of training planned under Project DHRISHTI, there is significant potential to further strengthen inclusive education and rehabilitation services across wider contexts.

I conclude this reflection with gratitude—to my team at XceptionalLEARNING for their resilience and collaboration, to the leadership that guided us, and to the professionals who trusted the process. Together, we are moving toward a future where innovation and human expertise work hand in hand to support every child’s potential.

To learn more or collaborate with us on inclusive, technology-enabled rehabilitation, contact us at XceptionalLEARNING.