Autism and Adulthood in the Indian Context:
There’s so much talk of the origins of autism these days, it’s hard not to
think of it as a childhood disorder. But we tend to forget that there is a
fast growing number of adults living with autism in our country today.
According to rough guesstimate, there may be at least 500,000 children with
autism and many of them will come of age into adulthood soon.( there is no
Registry of children with autism in India yet )
Are we, as parents and professionals we have to wonder, what lies in store
for the young adults who will soon need help of a different kind altogether!
I have heard of special schools in India that show the door to these young
adolescents and young adults as they cross age 16 or 18 !
What kind of lives will they lead?
Has any public awareness worth its name of the " adult autism puzzle " ever
been held which can lead to any real attitude change?
I have not seen of any " run " or " walk " for creating awareness of adults
on the spectrum.
The other thing is that there are not enough vocational rehabilitation
professionals to handle the stream of adolescents with autism that are
entering adulthood.”
What about any employability figures in India?
And when I talk about adults on the spectrum, I am talking of only '
classic ' autism - not of HFA adults who have different issues!
What about health issues?
Diabetes?
Cardiac issues?
BP?
Vitamin deficiency like D or B12?
Ortho problems?
Dental problems?
Is there routine medical checks organised ? Or camps?
Do we have health professionals trained to handle an adult with autism ?
Leave aside any Medical Insurance worth its name except Nirmaya scheme with
its paltry 1 lakh annual insurance???
X-------X
forget every other issue. How safe will they be? when they are old and weak.
We are all aware of what is going on in most care homes ,be it for women or
handicapped or mentally ill or what not.
Even NT people suffer a lot when they are alone, weak and old.
