(a) whether the autistic kid disorders is on the rise in the country, especially in
the rural areas including Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, North-Eastern region, etc.;
(b) if so, the causes of this disease; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to eradicate it?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)
(a) & (b) Autistic kids disorder, included in the umbrella term – Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD),
is a complex neuro – developmental disorder, the cause of which is still unknown and there is no
record of its enumeration in the country.
(c) Since the cause of Autistic Disorder is unknown, it can only be managed through early detection and
intervention. Therefore, steps have been taken for creating awareness, diagnosis and early intervention
to limit the disability.
Under the National Trust Act, 1999, a number of activities are undertaken like caregivers courses,
training and public awareness programmes.
Early Intervention Programmes are being conducted in collaboration with Voice and Mission, Mumbai, and
by the State Nodal Agency Center of National Trust in Delhi in Govt. Hospitals. Awareness Programme is
being conducted throughout the country by the registered organizations of the National Trust.
National Trust runs several schemes like Samarth (Residential Center), Niramaya (Health Insurance Scheme),
Aspiration (Day Care Centre), Gyan Prabha (Scholarship Scheme), Uddyam Prabha (Interest Subsidy Scheme)
all over the country.
The Rehabilitation Council of India has given accredition to Centres to run courses for training teachers
in the management of people with ASD.
The Government of India has adopted community based care of mentally ill-persons in some districts under
District Mental Health Programme (DMHP), a component of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP).
Under DMHP, a mental health team led by a psychiatrist is placed in a district to provide services,
training to general health care personnel for identification and treatment of common mental illnesses
and conduct IEC activities for awareness.
To address the shortage of qualified mental health professionals, manpower development schemes for setting
up of centers of excellence in mental health and PG training departments in mental health specialties have
been approved under the NMHP for the 11th Five Year Plan.