Question : SCHEME FOR AUTISM

(a) the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to provide better education and other basic facilities including health insurance to the persons with Autism. Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities at affordable prices;

(b) whether according to the world Health Organiation (WHO) perspective health, especially mental health, shows an escalation in the disease burden for autism from 10 per cent to 14 per cent over the period from 1990 to 2011;

(c) if so, the details thereof along with the number of autistic persons identified so far, State-wise;

(d) the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken to make the people aware about the schemes of the Government for such persons?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI PORIKA BALRAM NAIK)

(a) The National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities, a statutory body under the Department of Disability Affairs is running various schemes for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities. A statement indicating details of such schemes is at Annexure.

National Trust is also working in convergence with Ministry of HRD for designing an inclusive curriculum for education of children with these disabilities.

(b) to (d) The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that the Ministry is not aware of the WHO report regarding escalation in disease burden. Further, there has been no enumeration of Autism affected persons in India either by Census, 2001 or by National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey, 2002.

(e) Badhte Kadam, a pan India Mobile Disability Awareness Expedition` is organized by National Trust every year since 2009 to raise awareness and to spread information about its schemes and programmes. Various events like awareness rally, melas, games, exhibitions, nukkad natak, dance competition, painting competition etc are organized as a part of the event.