Autism Awareness Walk

Forum For Autism is organising a “Walk for Autism” sponsored by HINDUJA HOSPITAL


Tuesday, November 15, 2005: P.D. Hinduja National Hospital & Medical Research Centre has helped facilitate an 'Awareness for Autism' WALK to be held on Sunday 20th November, 2005 at 5pm at the Shivaji Park Ground, Shivaji Park, Dadar (W), Mumbai. Parents, teachers, professionals involved with the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and media celebs like Mr. Harsha Bhogle-TV Commentator, Mr. Praveen Amre- Cricketer, Ravi Iyer RJ - Radio City, Lavanya RJ - Radio City, Archana RJ - Radio City, VJs and Anchors Mini Mathur and Teejay will be taking part in this walk.

This walk, has been organized by the Forum for Autism, a registered charitable Trust, formed by parents of autistic children. This Trust aims to reach out to the large number of autistic people in the city who still have not been diagnosed and therefore do not receive the services they need. It is also aimed at helping people with autism get better access to the benefits and opportunities available to individuals with disabilities, and to create an impetus for more facilities for helping children with autism, so that the special needs of autistic children gets the attention it deserves.

Says Dr. Vrajesh Udani, Advisor, Forum for Autism and Paediatric Neurologist, Hinduja Hospital, " I used to see one case per month, now I see 1-2 cases per day and the experience of many other professionals is the same. The reason for this increase is probably greater awareness and an expanded inclusion criterion for the diagnosis. Environmental factors could also act as triggers to this inborn condition. Early diagnosis is the key as early therapy / intervention done intensively has shown significant gains."

Autism is a neurological disorder that affects communication, social skills and behaviour. Children with autism do not follow the same rules of communication and socialization that comes naturally to others and they have difficulty in making sense of the world. At present, there is no cure for autism. The only consistently effective treatment for autism is a structured training program. Therefore, a combination of a good school with autism-specific trained teachers and parent training is the best-known treatment.
It is estimated that there are over two million people with autism in India, but awareness of the disorder is even now limited and services are few and far between.