Patna Marks World Autism Awareness Day with Focus on Care Gaps
Patna joined the global community in observing World Autism Awareness Day on Thursday, drawing attention to the significant gap between policy commitments and the actual access to care for neurodivergent children in the state. The theme for 2026, "Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value," underscored pressing concerns about high therapy costs, limited inclusive schooling options, and a shortage of multidisciplinary care centers.
Challenges in Diagnosis and Technology Access
Experts emphasized that early diagnosis remains the cornerstone of effective intervention, yet modern technological tools are often inaccessible to many families. Dr. Shams Alam, with over 15 years of experience in the field, noted that AI-assisted screening is an emerging development but is not widely available in routine clinical practice in Patna. "While awareness has improved, diagnosis still largely depends on structured clinical assessment by trained professionals," he said, adding that AI currently complements but does not replace clinical expertise.
Dr. Shachi, a specialist in autism intervention, highlighted that technology can only make an impact when it is affordable and accessible. She stated that clinical observation remains the most practical approach under current circumstances, pointing to gaps in infrastructure where services are concentrated in urban areas and fail to meet growing demand.
Infrastructure and Financial Barriers
Dr. Alam acknowledged that the increase in therapy centers indicates progress, but access remains largely limited to middle- and upper-income groups. Parents also face administrative and educational hurdles, as highlighted by Mukta Mohini, a mother of two autistic children and co-founder of a school for neurodivergent students. She reported low awareness about welfare schemes like the Mukhyamantri Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Chhatra Yojana, coupled with complex documentation processes and a lack of guidance at local offices.
Financial constraints pose another major challenge, with therapy sessions in Patna costing between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Dr. Shachi stressed the difficulty in balancing quality and affordability, asserting, "Every child deserves access to therapy regardless of financial background."
Gaps in Adult Support and Future Directions
Experts also noted a lack of support for autistic individuals after the age of 18. Dr. Alam explained that services largely focus on childhood, leaving a significant gap in adult transition planning. Dr. Shachi added that efforts must now prioritize building a structured employment ecosystem to ensure long-term independence.
Mohini suggested that the social welfare department establish a district-level support system with a single-window certification process and long-term care initiatives. This would aim to secure independence and dignity for autistic individuals in adulthood, addressing the ongoing needs beyond childhood interventions.
