"Wow, yummy food!" may not be a big deal coming from an average child. But coming from an autistic toddler like Ajay (name changed), who earlier could only repeat phrases in a flat tone, it is nothing less than remarkable.
When Ajay joined Sangamitra, an early intervention centre for autistic children in Sahakaranagar, he could only speak a few words, and repeat whatever he was told. His communication was script-based and need-bound. With timely intervention, he learnt to communicate in different situations and to intonate his sentences. Cases like his indicate that with early intervention and parental involvement, children with autistic spectrum disorder can improve their social functioning and communicative skills.
Sometimes when the child does not start speaking at the expected age, parents think it is better to "wait and watch", said Nandini Mudkar, developmental paediatrician and founder of the Centre of Child Development and Disabilities. This could be the worst a parent can do in cases where they suspect their child may have developmental disabilities, as the earlier the intervention, the better the chances of integrating the child in society.
Greater parental involvement can help improve the child's functioning, and for this it is necessary to train the parents to be more responsive and to have realistic expectations from their children.
Neuroplasticity refers to the brain's ability to change, and studies show that it is greatest in the beginning years of a child's life. It depends on how enriched an environment you provide for the child to grow, said Sundar Kumar, physiotherapist and director at the Centre for Child Development and Disabilities. A pressing issue, he feels, is that there are very few professionals in the country dealing with ASD. "We have people coming from districts like Shivamogga saying that they do not have anyone there who can help them with the disease," he added.
21 years after Act was passed, autism not on list of disabilities
Twenty one years after the Persons with Disabilities Act was passed, autism does not figure on the list. Another Bill mooted in 2011 to overcome the drawbacks of the Act remains stuck in legislative circles.
Even today, government officials equate the word "disabilities" with physical disabilities, one reason for this being that persons with physical disabilities have been more vocal about their rights, said Jayashree Ramesh, Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism, Basaveshwaranagar, speaking at a conference in NIMHANS on Friday.
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995, which promises equal opportunities and protects the rights of persons with disabilities, lists mental retardation and mental illness, but does not include autism.
To address the shortcomings of the earlier Act, the government set up a national committee in 2011 to draft the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill. From seven, the number of disorders listed will go up to 20, and include autism. If you go on to the Minsitry's website, Minsiter Gelhot has released a statement that the Bill will now be put in the Rajya Sabha.
The National Trust Act, 1999, was constituted to look into welfare of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities.However it is not a rights-based Act and receives little funding, said Ms. Ramesh. It was an Act to support families, especially with respect guardianship. One of its progressive components is Niramaya, a health insurance scheme under which a BPL family can receive year-long insurance for autism on paying a nominal fee.
What is Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders. Autism is typically detected in the first few years of a child's life and some of the symptoms include poor communication skills or
About 1 in 66 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder in the United States
Symptoms to look out for:
Poor communication skills
Poor social skills
Lack of imagination in play
Repetitive behaviour like flapping
