World Autism Awareness Day 2025
2025 theme "Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)"

Dr Yumnam Sana Devi *

Pix - TSE

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)/Autismis a neuro-developmental disorder with symptom manifes- tation during developmental phase of life. Worldwide prevalence is 1 in 100 while in India it is 1 in 65 and it affects boys more than girls with 4:1 ratio.

There are two main core deficits in these individuals – impairment in social communication and restricted repetitive beha-vior with sensory issues. These problems will manifest in variant nature accor- ding to the course of disorder with different areas of difficulties.

The current understanding from the various researches is that ‘Autism’ is actually a variant of normal human deve- lopment and human diversity (Neuro-diversity). As of now, there is no cure for Autism hence the focus should be on disability and inclusion in the society with their variant nature.

Acknowledging the above challenges for ASD communities, in 2007, the United Nations General Assembly sanctioned April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD). It is an annual event aimed at raising awareness and acceptance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

It aims to celebrate the diversity and achievements of autistic people and promote their full participation and inclusion in society. This year marks the 18th annual World Autism Awareness Day.

There has been a significant change over the last two decades in focus on the welfare of autistic communities, from simply raising public awareness to promoting acceptance, and now it comes to the appreciation of autistic people and their contributions to society.

The 2025 observance has the theme “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). ” This theme focuses the significance of acknowledging and promoting neurodiversity while coordinating initiatives with the larger sustainable development objectives esta- blished by the United Nations.

The UN SDGs are a collection of 17 interconnected goals adopted in 2015 by the international community as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. While all 17 goals are relevant to creating an inclusive and equitable world for individuals with ASD, the goals that many countries chose to focus on hold particular significance are

SDG 3 : Good Health and Well-Being : Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for individuals with ASD;
SDG 5: Gender Equality : Empowering all women and girls, including those with ASD;
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, including individuals with ASD.

These things can be achieved only after a collective efforts from all sectors at various levels,i.ehealth, social welfare, education, NGOs, stakeholders, policy-makers and community.

As a mark of observance of this very important day, I would like to share different treatment approaches that are shown to be effective in these individuals. ASD management needs a multidisciplinary approach due to its variant symptom profile.

The disciplines involved are psychiatrist/child psychiatrist, pediatrician/pedia- tric neurologist, clinical psychologist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, special educator, psychiatric social worker.

Every specialist have asignificant role depending on the age, symptom profile, comorbidities and functioning level of the ASD individual. However at a particular point of time, some children may require all above services simultaneously and some may need only a type of therapy. Therapy modali-ties are Behavioral interven- tions (ABA based /Naturalistic interventions), Occupa- tional therapy, Speech the-rapy, Special education program.

There is no single therapy to answer for all the symptoms of ASD. These interventions are found to be effective if : Started at young age (< 3 years); Intensive therapy (> 20 hours/week); Parental involvement as co-therapists; Delivered in naturalistic setting (home, school).

As of now, there are no medications for the cure of ASD. But medications can help in the rehabilitation process by making the child amenable for training as many behavioral symptoms (hyperactivity, aggression) can interfere with training of the child. Also medications are needed to control common comorbidities like ADHD, Behavioral disorder, Seizure disorder, Sleep issues.

The treatment outcome is usually influenced by – Severity of autism; Level of functioning (verbal, cognitive); Co-morbid disorder; Psychosocial environment; Training inputs over a long period. About 10% of high functioning ASD (IQ>70,Superior vocabulary skills, Less impairment on “Theory-of-Mind” test) eventually improve and move out of “the spectrum”. These individuals continue to have sub clinical deficits in social and communication skills.

To conclude, ASD is a developmental disorder with variant symptoms for lifetime and if we treat at right time using appropriate methods for adequate duration, the outcome is acceptable. Autism Awareness Day is a time to appreciate differences, promote understanding, and make the world a more inclusive place for those with autism spectrum disorder and their families.

* Places where these services are available:

o Department of Psychiatry, JNIMS Porompat;
o Department of Psychiatry, RIMS, Lamphel;
o Composite Regional Center, Takyel;
o Mother’s Care Children Hospital and Research Center, Sagolband.

* N.B : Dear parents, please don’t hesitate to seek an assessment of your child whenever you sense some differences compared with peers at any age of life, and do verify the qualification of the therapist before you enroll your child in any kind of therapy for any form of developmental issues.