Autism: How early diagnosis and therapy can transform lives

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts communication, social interaction, and behavior. It presents differently in different individual, with diverse levels of difficulties and capabilities. Autism is not an illness that requires a cure, but rather a different way of seeing the world. Awareness about Autism is increasing in society. Early identification can dramatically improve the living standards and long term outcomes of the affected.

While awareness is important, acceptance is the solution to ensuring autistic people live meaningful lives. Awareness is recognising autism signs; acceptance is building a society that is accepting of autistic people and makes them feel valued and supported. This involves making accommodations in education, work, and public places to meet their unique needs.
Even with advances in advocacy, autistic people and their families continue to face major barriers:

1. Educational barriers: Schools do not have trained teachers and suitable learning programs for autistic students
2. Workplace exclusion: Job opportunities are still limited, with employers fearing to recruit autistic individuals based on misconceptions
3. Social stigma: People still perceive autism in terms of disability and not diversity
4. Limited healthcare support: Autism-compliant medical care, therapies, and mental health support is not always readily available.

In order to bring about a more inclusive world, both institutions and individuals need to take proactive action:
• Early intervention & support: Caregivers and parents need to pursue early diagnosis and therapy so that children can better sail through their growth process
• Education system reforms: Schools need to include special education programs and inclusive curricula so that autistic children can blossom
• Workplace inclusivity: Businesses need to encourage neurodiversity through customized training, flexible working, and friendly workplaces
• Community awareness programmes: Workshops and campaigns must be aimed at dispelling myths and building awareness
• Government policies: Additional policies must be enacted to offer financial, medical, and social assistance to individuals with autism and their families

Families with autistic kids are also essential in advocacy and support. Parents, as a rule, have to deal with scarce resources, social stigma, and the difficulty of finding one's way through long, complicated systems of healthcare and education. Support groups, therapy, and financial aid should be made available by communities to make caregivers feel less alone in their plight.

Technological advancements have opened up new doors for autistic people to communicate and learn. Assistive communication aids, AI-based therapies, and autism-friendly apps have revolutionized the support system. Research is still opening up new ways to fill the communication gap and enable independence.

The theme of this year's Autism Awareness & Acceptance Month should not only be about raising awareness but about creating actual change. “Celebrate differences” and “ Acceptance is an action”
• The acceptance of autistic people as positive contributors to society
• The offer of equal chances in school, work, and social situations
• The facilitation of worthwhile interaction beyond toleration to integration

Autism does not represent a deficit, but rather another way of experiencing the world. Moving from awareness to a real acceptance and understanding, we can create an environment where autism is valued for the unique ways of thinking and gifts each person with autism brings.

Dr. Sayli Bidkar, Consultant, Paediatric Neurology, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai