Help 20 disabled children in India fight Autism

A project by Balajothi Centre for the Disabled Trust in Bengaluru, India (# 36030)

Project report due date : April 14, 2019

Report sent on April 9, 2019

Funds raised todate : $ 397.60

Study quantifies prevalence of autism in India

About 1 in 100 children in India under age 10 has autism, and nearly 1 in 8 has at least one neurodevelopmental condition. The estimates are based on the first rigorous study of its kind in the country. The estimate for neurodevelopmental conditions is about 10 times higher than the 1.3 percent reported in India’s 2011 census. The study covered five regions of India that differ economically and culturally, and was done door to door to recruit children for evaluation.  Over 20 children from each of 25 or 50 villages and municipal wards in each region were studied. Altogether 2,057 children aged 2 through 5 years and 1,907 children aged 6 through 9 were assessed.

There are very few prevalence estimates from most of the world’s geography when it comes to neurological disorders — especially autism,” . “The methodology [in the new study] is quite impressive. This is often not done even in high-income countries.”

The overall prevalence estimate for autism is about four times that from a 2017 study of more than 11,000 school children in one city in India. The study used the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) — a diagnostic test that’s standard in the United States and Europe. Regardless, the new figures are likely to be conservative. About one in six families with children declined to participate, perhaps because of stigma associated with the conditions. What’s more, a smaller proportion of children in the study have developmental delays caused by poor nutrition than the national average, likely because the sample is not representative of the whole population.

Given the magnitude of the situation it is not unlikely that one can dispute the prevalence of autism, world over, and more so in India.  Hence every small step taken by institutions or governments are to be lauded and encouraged.

Balajothi Centre for the Disabled does its bit to support children with autism through its training and rehabilitation efforts.  With increasing numbers we see our roles committed in this very challenging area of rehabilitation.  Your generous contribution of $ 397.60 is strengthening our hands in meeting this challenge. The costs are daunting but we feel sure that every dollar spent on this noble service is well spent and that more donors would be coming forth to support this service.  THANK YOU DONOR for doing your bit !!

Balajothi’s grateful thanks to GlobalGiving for giving us an opportunity to serve the children struggling with autism, by setting up this fund raising platform, which will only grow bigger as we strive to meet this daunting task. THANK YOU GLOBALGIVING !!

Project leader