Lok Sabha Question No. 3381 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-12
Subject: Autism Spectrum Disorder
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3381 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 TH JULY, 2019 AUTISM SPECTRUM DISO RDER

## 3381. SHRI D.K.SURESH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that Autism is a serious developmental disorder that impacts the nervous system and affects one's cognitive, emotional and physical health, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whet her it is a fact that in India alone, one in 68 children is reportedly diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and yet not many people are aware of this mental condition;
- (c)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  is taking  any  measure  to  create  awareness among  parents about the said disorder;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government has taken any measures to put necessary mechanism in place to treat the ASD at an early stage and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- (a) Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is a neuro - developmental disability, has been recognized as a specified disability under the Rights of Pe rsons with Disabilities Act, 201 6. Its impact can be reduced through early intervention, removing barriers of all nature and facilitating mea holistic development of the child in an inclusive environment. There are a number of hos Institutions across the country that offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, there are many State Government hospitals a non- governmental organizations that offer diagnostic, medical, psychiatric, counse education and training services.
- (b) As per available information, there are no large scale studies conducted on preval Autism in India. As informed by the Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi, the estimat 68  children  having  autism  is  a n  estimate  from  Centre  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention's Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network of United States of America f multiple communities in the United States.

(c)  &  (d):  Under  the  National  Mental  Health  Programme  (NMHP),  ge neration of community awareness is a continued activity. Awareness is generated in the community regarding the disorders  and  the  availability  of  mental  health  services  by  adopting  various  mass  med interpersonal communication methods.

(e)  Underthe  Rashtriya  Bal  Swasthya  Karyakram,  Child  Health  Screening  and  Early Intervention Services cover 30 selected health conditions including, inter -alia, Autism Spectrum Disorder for its screening, early detection and free management. All pre - school childre n below 6 years of age are screened by mobile block health teams for the above mentioned conditions Anganwadi Centres. Children suspected to be suffering from developmental delays are refe to  District  Early  Intervention  Centres  (DEIC)  for  furthe r  management.  A  team  consisting  of Pediatrician,  Medical  Officer,  Staff  Nurses,  Paramedics,  etc.  provide  services  for  pr follow - up referral support, treatment and management of such health conditions. Further, w view  t o  address  the  burden  of  me ntal  disorders,  the  Government  of  India  is  supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 655 districts of  the  country  for  detection,  management  and  treatment  of  mental  disorders/illness  wi major components of counselling in schools and colleges, work place stress management, li skills training, suicide prevention services and IEC activities for generation of awar removal of stigma associated with Mental Illness.