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Experts Urge Lifelong Autism Care Approach
13 Aug
Summary
- Early intervention yields optimal outcomes for children with autism.
- ASD requires continuous, person-centered support throughout life.
- Gaps persist in ensuring consistent care and support for ASD.
A national conclave on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) underscored the necessity of a lifelong approach to care and support. Experts highlighted that early intervention and sustained therapies yield optimal outcomes for children, improving social, communication, cognitive, and motor abilities. As ASD is a lifelong condition, needs evolve, requiring continuous, coordinated, and person-centered support into adulthood.
Doctors noted that about 90% of individuals with ASD have co-occurring medical or psychiatric conditions that need early detection and management. The pattern of comorbidities changes with age, and challenges like anxiety and depression can emerge during puberty, necessitating careful management.
The conclave emphasized that timely identification, early intervention, inclusive education, mental health care, and social participation are key to achieving optimal outcomes. Despite increased awareness and advanced diagnostics, significant gaps persist in ensuring continuity of care and support for individuals with ASD, a concern raised by national and international experts.
