The history of Autism in India is complex. Despite having the largest literature on the subject of any developing country, the government only recognized the existence of the disorder in 2001 (in the 1980s there were reports that Autism did not exist in India) (Daley, 2004).
Attitudes
A lack of government acceptance is indicative of attitudes toward Autism in India. The social stigma of having a child with a developmental disability may lead parents to keep their children from diagnosis; also, Indian society emphasizes conformity and social relatedness, two factors which may prevent parents from wanting to “make waves” and push for diagnosis (Daley, 2004).
Early Intervention
These conditions among government and society may prevent children with Autism from an early diagnosis, which complicates receiving Early Intervention, or behavioral treatment for Autism during the pre-school years. This treatment is helpful to establish appropriate behavior and communication for children with Autism; effective Early Intervention may lead to the child participating in inclusion programs in their school (Daley, 2004).
Environmental Toxin
Another factor affecting Autism in India is the country’s use of vaccines with a Thimerosal base. There is research evidence linking the Thimerosal vaccine base to Autism; Thimerosal is a mercury base for vaccines which most children metabolize out, but some children might not possess the bile to metabolize, leading to mercury poisoning. Some argue that this mercury poisoning is behind Autism (Varshney, 2006).
However, although Thimerosal was removed from vaccines universally in most countries between 1997 and 2003 (Harris & O'Connor, 2005), India still retains the vaccines with a Thimerosal base, mainly because the Thimerosal based vaccine is less expensive than the Thimerosal-free version (Varshney, 2006). This environmental toxin could lead to increased cases of Autism.
Tito Mukhopadhyay
One notable case of a child from India with Autism is Tito Mukhopadhyay, whose mother Soma had apparently taught him to communicate and even write poetry using a computer keyboard. As described in Strange Son, by Portia Iverson, Tito was unable to communicate without his mother present, as she helped him through a combination of “shouts, gestures, and taps on the knee (Zuger, 2007).”
UN Convention
In October 2007, India signed the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, promising to “promote, protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote respect for their inherent dignity (Action for Autism and Open Door, 2008).”
Nirmaya
Less than a year after this important step, the Indian government started “Nirmaya” to provide health insurance coverage to persons with Autism and other developmental disabilities. (Action for Autism and Open Door, 2008).
Conclusion
With its social attitudes, governmental reluctance to accept the disorder, and environmental conditions, India has many barriers to providing high quality education and treatment to children with Autism. However, if the country’s acceptance of the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the “Nirmaya program are any indication, India is taking some steps in the right direction.
Sources
Action for Autism and Open Door. (2008, March). Legal Issues of Autism in India. Action for Autism and Open Door. Available: www.autism-india.org/india_legal.html [2008, October 26].
Daley, T. C. (2004). From symptom recognition to diagnosis: children with autism in urban India. Social Science & Medicine, 58 , 1323-1335.
Harris, G., & O'Connor, A. (2005, June 25). On Autism's Cause, It's Parents vs. Research. New York Times.
Varshney, V. (2006, Apr 15). Heavy metal: Vaccines with mercury can cause autism, but removing the metal is uneconomic for developing countries such as India . Down to Earth Magazine. Available: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/full6.asp?foldername=20060415&filename=anal&sec_id=7&sid=1 [2008, October 26].
Zuger, A. (2007, February 27). Tantalized by the Hint of a Cure for Autism. New York Times .
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