WORLD AUTISM DAY

oday, we are once again going to visit Spandana - School for mentally disabled children. Last time, when we visited them, they showed their desire to have ice-cream. So, today we are providing them ice-cream and other confectioneries and like to see the joy and happiness on their faces.

As the world observes Autism Day on April 2, the awareness about the disorder (autism spectrum disorder – ASD) and measures to battle it are quite low, especially in India.

According to a study by a top child neurologist at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), at least one in 89 children aged between two and nine years have been diagnosed with autism in India.

An extrapolation of the data on 2011 census would mean that as many as 2.2 million children and 13 million people in the country live with the condition.

But, what is ASD? It is an umbrella term for persons living with developmental disorders that impair communication—speaking, gesturing and listening—and make them have limited interests or repetitive behaviour.

Diagnosis is still misunderstood very much, doctors say, and most parents in India do not have the resources or the support to bring up autistic children.

The easiest way to identify symptoms is to notice if a child “does not look at playthings being shown, if they do not give social smile, if they do not respond to their name, she says, adding that “Parents must consult their paediatrician and get a proper diagnosis done.”

Noting that parents are usually dismissive of such symptoms, Dr Gulati warned them against waiting. “Sometimes parents bring their child when they are five years old.”

“Awareness, even among physicians, was very less 20 years ago. Also, there were several nomenclatures for the various conditions. This has changed over time. Also, there is no objective blood test or scan to determine whether a child is autistic.

Early intervention can help autistic children lead normal lives.
Awareness, acceptance of diagnosis and receiving proper care at the right time can help ensure proper treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder.