What is the outlook and knowledge about autism of public in India?

Once can say that the knowledge and outlook on autism related issues in India have not yet spread including the government. Since many of the autistic children are taken care by their parents the concern to care such segment have not reached to the level of importance as on this day. It is getting noticed slowly due to the increasing birth rate of Autistic Child (AC). However, the data suggest that the days are not far away to address this issue. The number of AC and AA are growing year on year which will become big issue if not addressed in the initial stage itself.  Since there is no proper research conducted unlike grown up countries there is no reliable data available in India to come to a conclusion. The information collected from affected families and the interaction with social welfare organisations and Autism School, NGOs etc there could be some vision on the issues relating to Autism and its impact on the future generation. The experiences are simply gained from the interactions with the family members especially the parents of AC / AA. There is less awareness and knowledge among medical professionals in India and many time the diagnosis not done in right time or it is done wrongly. Indian parents consult largely with paediatrician or with a psychologist. Largely the medication is given for ADHD to control the hyperactivity. However in the recent years there is considerable improvement in medical science and more paediatricians become aware of the condition.

People may believe that nothing can cure Autism and there is noting going to change in diagnosing Autism. However such diagnosis will give the true picture of those impacted with autism and so there can be proper planning for service provider and schools and special trainers for this purpose.  

The need to develop residential care for AA after the death of their parents to ensure that the AA are not ignored by the society for lack of knowledge, infrastructure, or specialist. Integrated houses for to care AA and their elderly parents are the need which should be thought processed well in advance to bridge the demand and supply.

Autism whether evenly prevails across globe?

Each country has different data on Autism. For example, as per the data released in 2014 by US, 1 on 68 children are influenced with Autism. However, another data from South Korea reveals that 1 in 38 is influenced with Autism. This may be due to the fact that one of the reasons for Autism is the pollution. It is not same across the world and hence the rate might be different from countries to countries. The developed countries have more impact compared with developing or underdeveloped countries.

Schools for Autism Children in India.

1. There is no regular or special education system
2. A good understanding teacher with her support staff can educate AC in a regular school
3. AC are not given admission in regular schools
4. Curriculum pressure makes the AC to cope with such schools
5. Autism Schools (AS) are run for higher impacted AC.
6. There is lack of expertise prevailing in such AS
7. Since each AC is unique it is seen as a difficult process for educating the AC

Assisted Living Facility (ALF) for AA in India.

1. Since even in schools levels there is no such better infrastructure available for AC, it is very remote to fine ALF for AA
2. There is no proper infrastructure for the AA
3. Like there are more old age homes the home for Autism is just a thought in the minds of service providers and there are very few numbers of institutions who provide the ALF services for AA

Autism Vs. Disability

1. Autism is still not disability under “The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995”
2. Autism included in the National Trust Bill – National Trust for Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act 1999.
3. Persons with autism can receive certain benefits under this act, the first ever legislation passed in India that recognized autism as a distinct condition of its own.
4. Since there is no disability certificate being issued for autism alone, in order to get the benefit from the govt, the disability certificate for Autism is provided with mental retardation.

Autism Vs. Social Stigma

1. Autism is seen with the context of disability in general in which social stigma is attached on the parents
2. People’s beliefs raises curiosity and concern on family members to know what would have affected their children?
3. AC are isolated inside the family which resulted in ignorance and non-availability of data.
4. There is change in the approach on parents and so the stigma is slowly disappearing with more number of AC and parents join hands to meet such challenges.
5. More Doctors specialises in this filed give more confidence to parents and family members and so they come out liberally to handle this issue more scientifically and professionally.