What is the need of the hour in autism care?

What is Autism?

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.
• It includes a range of symptoms from mild to severe; often visible in early childhood but sometimes diagnosed later.
• Classified by the WHO as a diverse set of conditions, not a single disorder.

Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)

Is Autism on the Rise?

• Prevalence of autism has increased:
  • 1 in 36 (2020) → 1 in 31 (2022) in the U.S. (CDC data).
  • In India, an estimated 1 in 68 children are affected by autism. This translates to approximately 18 million individuals on the autism spectrum in the country.
• Reasons:
  • Better recognition and broader diagnostic criteria.
  • Increased awareness and access to healthcare.
  • Mild cases now included in diagnosis which were earlier missed.

What Causes Autism?

• No single cause — it’s a complex interplay of genetics and environment.
• Genetic factors: High heritability (up to 91% in some studies – JAMA 2016).
• Environmental factors (limited evidence, still under research):
  • Advanced parental age.
  • Prenatal exposure to air pollution.
• Vaccines do NOT cause autism – the MMR vaccine link has been debunked.

Is Autism Preventable?

• Not fully preventable due to complex etiology.
• Primary prevention is difficult with current knowledge.
• Focus should be on:
  • Secondary prevention – early detection and screening.
  • Tertiary prevention – targeted intervention and support.

Misinformation Risks

• Claims linking vaccines to autism have caused:
  • Reduced vaccination rates.
  • Increased public health risk (measles outbreaks, etc.).
• Such narratives blame parents (especially mothers) and increase stigma.

What is the Need of the Hour in Autism Care?

Early Diagnosis

• Many children are still not diagnosed early, especially in rural and underserved areas.
  • Early detection is crucial for effective intervention.

Accessible Interventions

• Need for individualised, evidence–basedtherapies (speech, behavioral, occupational).
  • Tailored interventions based on each child’s needs.

Psycho-education for Families

• Families need support and realistic guidance, not false promises or shame.

Maternal and Child Health

• Greater focus on maternalmental and physicalhealth during pregnancy.
  • Move beyond communicable diseases to include mental and neurodevelopmental health in prenatal care.

Awareness and Sensitisation

• Combat myths and stigma around ASD.
  • Promote inclusion and rights-based approach for individuals with autism.

Research and Data

• Continued, rigorous research on genetic and environmental factors.
  • Avoid politicised or oversimplified narratives (e.g. blaming toxins or single causes).