• Limited eye contact 👁️

• Delayed speech or no speech 🗣️

• Repetitive actions (hand flapping, spinning) 🔄

• Prefers being alone 🙋‍♂️

Early signs

Getting support early helps your child learn better and live better. Talk to a doctor if you notice any of these signs

Why early detection matters

What Causes Autism

There is no single cause for Autism, and most experts believe that many factors contribute to Autism. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a complex neuro-developmental condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. 

Treatment of Autism

Treating autism is a long, complicated journey that often takes years. It isn’t like taking a tablet for a headache and feeling better the same day. Progress doesn’t follow a straight line; instead, many pieces—therapy, family support, school help, and the child’s own development—must fit together like parts of a big puzzle.

Treatment for Autism includes a multimodal plan to jump start language, diminish self-stimulatory behaviors & normalize social interactions. This includes removing causative environmental factors, taking care of diet, nutrition, sleep, anxiety and working on sensory issues.

Autism- Key Statistics

• The global prevalence of an early-onset of ASD is ~1% (Dubey et al, 2015, the Epidemiology and Global Burden of Autism Spectrum Disorders)

• According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 100 children worldwide is diagnosed with ASD (Zeidan J, et al 2022, Global prevalence of autism, WHO)

• INCLEN study suggests that prevalence in India is estimated to be 1 in 89 (Arora et. al, 2018, Neurodevelopmental disorders in children aged 2–9 years)

• India is estimated to have over 10 million individuals with autism (Barua et al., 2017)

• Action for Autism suggests that an estimated 18 million people are living with Autism in India. (https://www.autism-india.org/our-projects.php)

Government Support for Autism in India

Health

• Niramaya Health Insurance: ₹1 lakh coverage for treatment (not therapy)

• CGHS Schemes: Covers therapies like speech therapy, ABA

Education

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan: Free education for 6–14 years

• CBSE Benefits: Extra exam time, optional subjects

Other Benefits

• Tax benefits- Section 80 U for parents and children

• Respite Care schemes- Gharaunda, Samartha

• Samarth Scheme: Residential services for individuals with disabilities.

• Niramaya Scheme: Health insurance coverage for persons with autism.

• Gyan Prabha Scheme: Scholarships for education.

• Uddyam Prabha Scheme: Financial incentives for self-employment.

• Arunim Initiative: Marketing support for products made by individuals with disabilities

See details for government schemes here