Govt needs more support from development partners to make societies inclusive for individuals with autism

Laos is one of the founding members of the Asean Autism Network which was established in December 2010 with a clear objective to enable family support groups of individuals with autism to advocate for their inclusion and development on the basis of the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and other international and regional instruments relating to autism.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is considered as a developmental disorder characterised by impairment of social communication, repetitive and restrictive patterns of behaviour, interests, and activities.
World Autism Awareness Day is observed on April 2 of each year in accordance with the UN General Assembly Resolution 62/139 to encourage member states to take action in raising awareness about people with autism spectrum disorder and support research to find new ways to improve wellness and inclusion.
According to the World Health Organisation, one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder. About 6 million persons with autism live in Southeast Asia which is a significant number that affects the development of all Asean Member States in the region.
Asean launched the Autism Mapping project to provide data and information on the situation of autism and existing policy interventions in order to enhance policy and programme development for persons with autism in the region. 
Efforts are made to compile accurate data on the prevalence of autism and map organisations and parents’ groups for persons with autism to facilitate exchanges and cooperation between service providers and advocates of their rights.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of the Lao government, through the National Committee for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, actively works with the Association for Autism (AFA), a nonprofit association in Laos which represents the interests of persons with autism by promoting their rights, improving their access education, therapy, and training to better equip them to live full and productive lives. 
According to the AFA, inclusion of children with autism in mainstream schools is a challenge as teachers are not trained adequately to impart education to children with autism. 
As mandated under the Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2019, and Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, programmes such as Basic Education and Quality (BEQUAL) in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Centre for Inclusive Education should meaningfully address disability inclusion through a targeted approach that enables children with autism and other intellectual disabilities to access quality education on an equal basis as others.
The National Committee for Persons with Disabilities and the Elderly, in partnership with the Association for Autism, has been raising awareness about the rights of persons with autism both under the national disability law and the UN Convention on  the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ratified by the government in 2009.
While progress was made in the pre-pandemic period towards increasing access to education for persons with autism, the outbreak of Covid-19 leading to temporary closure of schools has adversely impacted children with autism in receiving the educational support they used to get from the Association for Autism.
According to the parents of a child with autism, the lockdown has not only disrupted the learning process of their children but has also impacted their livelihoods because one of the parents had to constantly attend to the needs of the child and their livelihoods had to take a back seat.
Given the fact that individuals with autism experience stigma and discrimination, the government, with support from development partners, should undertake research and public campaigns to raise awareness in line with the national disability law and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Since parents of individuals with autism are primary caregivers, they often experience stress and anxiety and there is an urgent need for them to receive social and psychological support.
In developing countries, persons with autism are often subject to stigma and discrimination, including unjust deprivation of health care and services, education and opportunities to engage and participate meaningfully in their communities. They are also at a greater risk of facing violence, injury and abuse.
Development partners like UNICEF and WHO, along with relevant international NGOs, have a significant role in supporting governments in addressing the specific needs of individuals affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disorders, through policies and programmes related to early childhood and adolescent development.
This could be part of a comprehensive approach to address child and adolescent mental health and developmental disorders. 
Technical support to the government should be extended to update and implement relevant policies, legislation, and multisectoral plans as specified in the World Health Assembly Resolution 65.4 on the global burden of mental disorders specifically in terms of  human, financial and technical resources to address issues related to autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders, as part of a comprehensive approach to supporting all persons living with mental health issues or disabilities.
This article is written by Pradeep Bagival, Regional Inclusive Governance Specialist, Humanity and Inclusion, Mekong Regional Office.

By Advertorial Desk
(Latest Update March 31, 2022)