Brain Bristle: Building Inclusive Classrooms for Autistic Children

In Mumbai’s bustling cityscape, there’s a quiet but powerful movement transforming lives inside municipal classrooms. At its heart is Brain Bristle, a foundation started by writer, artist and educator Devangana Mishra, with a mission to make quality education accessible for autistic children from low-income families.

The Vision

Brain Bristle was born out of a simple belief: that every child, no matter their background or challenges, deserves the chance to learn and thrive. The organisation works closely with BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) schools, where resources are limited, to ensure children on the autism spectrum are not left behind. The editorial was shot at a Govt school managed by the Akanksha Foundation.

How It Works

Instead of creating separate spaces, Brain Bristle integrates trained social workers into schools. Their job is to support autistic students through early interventions, classroom inclusion, and by working hand-in-hand with teachers and families. Alongside this, the foundation also runs awareness programmes, advocacy projects, and research initiatives to build a more supportive ecosystem for neurodiverse learners.

Why It Matters

• In India, it is estimated that 1 in 68 children may be on the autism spectrum.
• Nearly 70% of children including those with special needs study in government or affordable schools.
  For many of these students, Brain Bristle is the difference between being overlooked and being given a fair chance.

The Woman Behind It

Devangana Mishra’s journey is as layered as it is inspiring. With a dual Master’s in Autism and Intellectual Disabilities, international research experience, and years spent working with children on the spectrum, she combines deep expertise with lived compassion. Much of her sensitivity to this work comes from watching her mother tutor children with special needs during her childhood, an early influence that shaped her belief in equality and empathy.

Devangana is also a poet and storyteller. Her creative voice flows into Brain Bristle’s philosophy, reminding us that education isn’t just about academics, it’s about nurturing imagination, authenticity, and resilience.

The Larger Goal

Brain Bristle is more than an education initiative; it is a call to society to embrace inclusivity. By rooting itself in Mumbai’s public school system, it sends a clear message: children from underprivileged backgrounds deserve the same quality of care and education as anyone else.

With its blend of grassroots intervention and systemic advocacy, the foundation is not just supporting autistic children, it’s rewriting what an inclusive classroom can look like.


Person's mentioned:
Devangana Mishra- Founder of Brain Bristle,

Pritam- Teacher and Volunteer at Brain Bristle

Sakshi- School leader at Akansha Foundation