Every year, since 2008 World Autism Awareness Day is observed on 2 April in order to raise public awareness of autism and highlight the need to help and improve the quality of life of those with autism so that they can lead full and meaningful lives and as an integral part of the society.In Arunachal, students of Himalayan University have done their part by initiating a rally displaying placards and distributing pamphlets related to autism, which deserves kudos.
Science has made such long strides, but till now the exact cause of this developmental disability is not known definitely and there are only conjectures hinting at genetic or environmental factors. It manifests during the first three years of life and persists lifelong and agonizingly, there is no medical cure. Studies show that about one in 68 people have autism and its overall occurrence is uniform across the globe and it is estimated that there are more than 18 million people with autism in India.
If it’s all darkness till now, the role of the society has made things more darker. Although people with autism definitely and legally fall under the disabled category, they hardly enjoy any minimum sympathy and compassion from society. Widespread discrimination is common which ranges from no or restricted entry in civic & recreational activities and even from travelling in public transport. Usual schools are by and large not inclined to admit them and if somehow admission is allowed after prolonged efforts, a new problem begins- bullying by classmates.A new hunt for special schools for these hapless parents thus starts and it’s really difficult to find a suitable one. Some even feel it’s infectious and many feel it’s a case of insanity. This is superstition at it’s very best in a 21st century India which has just become the fourth largest space power. And the biggest fear that haunts every parent of a child with autism is ‘what will happen when we are no more ?’. This is because residential facilities for them in India are still few in numbers.
If these are sordid realities, there are also some rays of hope. The relevant current laws now recognizes autism as a disability which will open avenues for higher education and employment for these people and give an opportunity to be a part of mainstream.Path is also now clear  for setting up of a national trust  which would promote measures for protection of these people with autism in case of death of their parents.
But unless the mindset of society, already saturated with various wrong notions about autism and its sufferers is changed, legal provisions alone can’t bring positive outcome. A more humane touch is thus desperately needed.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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