Reiterates need of uniform comprehensive policy
The Directorate of Education is yet to initiate training programmes for teachers and helpers at preschools, anganwadis and balwadis to recognise early signs of autism which go a long way to help persons with autism live their lives as independently as possible
Avinash Tavares,
GPCC spokesperson
Long term plan needed to support individuals with autism: Congress
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
On World Autism Day, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee acknowledges the dedication and commitment of all the institutes and groups in Goa who are working in the field of autism and commits to formulating and implementing a policy that will ensure a life of equality and dignity to all individuals living with autism.
Avinash Tavares, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee spokesperson said the number of individuals with autism is on the rise and as these individuals reach adolescence and adulthood, the time has come for Goa to accept that these individuals cannot be left to live on the edge of society.
When GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro was the education minister in 2005, he had introduced a scheme for the differently-abled where a differently-abled child was given a sum of over Rs 12,000 per year for books, stationery, travelling and escort allowance, etc. This scheme has to be extended for all special children like those with autism.
The Congress party’s flagship scheme of Right to Education has ensured that every child has excess to free education. This has gone a long way in ensuring that children with autism have access to basic education; however, more needs to be done, said Tavares.
The Directorate of Education is yet to initiate training programmes for teachers and helpers at preschools, anganwadis and balwadis to recognise early signs of autism which go a long way to help persons with autism live their lives as independently as possible.
Providing psychologists and resource rooms in schools is just a first step in integrating children with autism in regular schools. There is a need of a uniform comprehensive policy that must be implemented in every school and institute which guarantees children with autism an opportunity to study along with normal students under the supervision of a teacher who is trained to support such children and create an environment where not only the child with autism develops but the normal children understand, accept and support the child with autism in their overall development. The government has to initiate a research programme to study the environmental factors contributing to the rise of autism in Goa. In addition, the government need to put an end to insurance discrimination against people with autism by requiring insurers to deliver coverage for behavioural health treatments. One speech therapist in Margao charges Rs 350 for half an hour which is out of reach of poor families. Government must ensure that individuals with autism have access to free speech, behavioural, physio and social skills therapies, he said further.
These individuals must be allowed to join colleges and training institutions to develop work skills. Government has to intervene and invest to create the right environment in these institutions, whether it is providing training to trainers, modifying the curriculum or initiating a mentorship programme to help them not only in the institute but in their transition from the institute to the work place.
