AUTISM & MENTAL HEALTH

Team L&M

In India, one in every 68 children are diagnosed with Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how a person communicates, interacts socially, and behaves. That figure mirrors global trends but because of our country’s social and medical environment, it poses unique challenges.

Recent studies show the prevalence of ASD in India is similar to what is prevalent globally: 1 in every 68 children may fall on the spectrum. However, in many parts of India, neurodiverse children still lack access to timely diagnosis, therapy, and community support.

Experts say supporting mental health in autism is as important as managing its behavioral symptoms. Many children and adults on the autism spectrum experience anxiety, depression, mood swings, and emotional overload. It is often because they struggle to communicate their feelings or understand social situations.

Dr Meena J, Senior Consultant – Pediatrics & Neonatology, Aakash Healthcare explains, “If mental health issues are ignored, it affects their learning, relationships, and overall development. Mental health support must go beyond medicine or therapy rooms—it must include families, schools, and society.”

Over the last few years, schools have begun inclusive education, but myths persist: some still believe autism is caused by parenting problems or vaccine side effects. These misconceptions add stigma and delay critical interventions.

Dr Meena says, “Early therapy, especially speech, social skills, and behavioral skills changes everything. A five year old who begins intervention today can learn to communicate, play, and interact normally by age eight or ten.”

Aakash Healthcare offers ADHD clinics with affordable care.  Says Dr Meena, “We want to reduce the gap in mental health services. Will minimum cost, a month for parent training and tele-sessions can keep therapy going in Tier 2 and rural India.”

At Asian Hospital in Faridabad, Dr Vijay Sharma Associate Director & Head – Pediatrics Neurology & Child Development highlights school-based screening for early pick up of children with milder symptoms of Autism. He said, Asian Hospital offers comprehensive services for children with ASD through its Asian Child Development Centre. Teachers and counsellors should be trained so that if a child shows delayed speech or repetitive behavior, schools should flag them early so that required specialist Child development team support can be provided to such children.”

“Autism often coexists with epilepsy, ADHD, or migraine,” explains Dr Praveen Gupta, Senior Consultant, Neurology. “So we need joint care—neurology, psychiatry, psychology—working together. A child with both autism and epilepsy must receive medication, therapy, and continuous follow-up.”

He adds, “Tracking developmental milestones during routine immunization visits can help doctors spot early risk and start interventions by age two.”

According to available data, India’s mental health budget is less than 0.2 per cent of total health spending. The shortage of trained psychologists, counsellors, and special educators, especially outside metros, means many children slip through the cracks. Reducing this gap requires state counselling centers and mobile therapy units to reach underserved areas, said Dr Praveen Gupta.

Experts suggest running public awareness campaigns to debunk myths and promote early diagnosis, school-based screening by teachers and counsellors, affordable therapy programs, including telehealth and parent training, and integrated healthcare — neurology, psychiatry, psychology — especially for children with co-morbid conditions. In addition, more government funding is needed to scale up counselling and therapy session.

“Behind every autistic child is a family. They need professional guidance, community support, and school inclusion.”  It is important to train parents to manage meltdowns, build routines, and reduce stress at home. When the family understands the condition, the child feels safer and more supported, Dr Praveen Gupta, added.