JOIN USParents, whose children are suffering from autism, will hold a satyagraha campaign from October 1 to 3 at the Freedom Park, to draw the attention of the State government to the lack of facilities for autistic children and their prevailing conditions.
Briefing reporters here on Wednesday, Executive Council Member, Autism Society of India, Sundar Rajan, said: There is no count of autistic children in India as no survey has been carried out so far. Setting up National Centre for Autism, which can act like a nodal agency for all autism related matters, is the need of the hour. The Central government should first pass the Persons with Disability Bill-2012 without any further delay.
Rajan, parent of 23-year-old autistic child, S Abhishek, said the above problems will be highlighted through satyagraha where a group of 80 to 100 volunteers will participate under the name ‘Save our Souls’ at the announced venue at 9.30 am on all three days. Interested volunteers will fast from October 1 till October 3 morning.
The parent of an autistic child, Sampath S, said: Children with autism are difficult to manage as their mental growth is stunted and are not aware of what is happening. They need extra care and attention. The State government should set up special schools for such children as there are poor sections in the society who cannot afford to send their children to private daycare autistic centres. The private centres charge high fee for autism-related training programmes.
He added that both the Central and State government should identify the number of autistic people and chalk out a proposal accordingly to provide them suitable vocational and employment opportunities. The participants of satyagraha campaign will meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after the peaceful protest and hand over a memorandum with the list of their recommendations that should be taken for the upliftment of autistic children in the State.