Colombo working on national autism plan
Dissanayake's secretary, Dr Kumanayake, has tasked officials with presenting a proposal. The instructions are part of the Prajashakthi government programme for the equitable distribution of benefits in society. Autism (DSA) is increasingly recognised in Sri Lanka. The Ayati Trust centre in Ragama has reached 14,000 children with disabilities in five years.
Colombo (AsiaNews) - A proposal for a comprehensive plan to establish a national mechanism to support children with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. This is what President Anura Kumara Dissanayake's secretary, Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, asked officials last week.
These instructions were given during a discussion held as part of the national ‘Prajashakthi’ programme, launched earlier this month as a key initiative of the current government. It aims to empower citizens and ensure the equitable distribution of economic benefits throughout society, with a special focus on rural communities. The programme will be implemented by ministries and affiliated institutions, with coordination from the Presidential Secretariat.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognised in Sri Lanka, although awareness and services have historically been limited. Estimates of prevalence are unclear due to a lack of comprehensive national data, but several reports suggest an increase in diagnoses, partly due to greater awareness and the spread of diagnostic practices. Despite this, many families still seek help from religious or traditional healers due to deep-rooted cultural beliefs.
Acceptance of neurodiversity is still limited but is slowly improving with education. According to the Ayati Trust centre in Sri Lanka, approximately 1 in 93 children has been diagnosed with autism. People with autism often face significant social stigma, misconceptions and delays in accessing diagnosis and support.
Established in January 2020, the Ayati Trust in Ragama (born out of the Faculty of Medicine at Kelaniya University) is Sri Lanka's first national centre for children with disabilities, including autism. Its service has reached over 14,000 children, who have received assistance over five years. Typically, 100 children are seen per day and around 175-200 attend the clinics every weekday.
From its example, some key challenges have been identified, such as limited awareness and stigma in society. The social stigma surrounding autism remains significant, especially in rural areas. Limited knowledge about autism leads to late diagnosis and limited support. Furthermore, early diagnosis is difficult to achieve due to a lack of trained professionals and resources. Services are mainly concentrated in Colombo and a few medium-sized urban centres. Furthermore, rural communities often do not have access to diagnostic tools, speech therapists and behavioural interventions.
Finally, traditional schools are often not equipped to deal with people with autism. There is a shortage of teachers for special education and inclusive education programmes. There are a few well-equipped private schools, but they are expensive and limited in number. In addition, therapy (speech therapy, occupational therapy, ABA, etc.) is often expensive and requires long-term intervention. Most families pay out of their own pockets, making prolonged intervention inaccessible to many.
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01/03/2023 18:04
