Hyderabad: The state government has not established even a single school for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Even though some private schools are providing special education to such students, parents are dissatisfied with the quality of education that is provided.
Commissioner of welfare of disabled and senior citizens, B Shailaja said “We counsel parents to enrol their children in the Central government's National Institute for the Mentally Handicapped (NIMH) that provides free education in the city. We conduct inspections in private schools and NGOs that provide special education/care and provide funds for infrastructure and health.”
A parent, who requested anonymity, said that there are different therapies to treat them and different types of classes and not even a single school in the city provides them. Another parent said that children with any kind of disability, especially those with ASD, must have a lot of open space, greenery and good playgrounds in schools, which are hardly available.
Not just the children, their mothers are also harassed for giving birth to a child with disorders, according to doctors and activists. They said that even now when a child is diagnosed with ASD or any other disability, their parents abandon the child, particularly in the rural areas.
A women and child activist, P.A. Devi said that the mothers are harassed, beaten up and blamed for their child's disability. Sometimes when the mother delivers two children who are both disabled, the mother is also abandoned, said Devi.
Developmental pediatrician Dr. K. Varun said that parents with good economic and educational backgrounds also abandon their children with ASD or leave them with their grandparents.
“Parents must accept their child’s health condition first. However, they only want to know when the child would be normal. There are some children who can learn, read and study well but they are not accepted by society,” he said.
“Sadly, paying the fee is tough for middle class people. We pay anything up to `three lakh per annum, including for enrolling in classes that are not available in one school,” another parent added.
