Courses in autism care lack recognition

Though several organisaitions in City run courses for special education in autism, they, however, not been provided recognition due to flaws governing such courses. 

Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), a statutory body that regulates and monitors services given to persons with disability needs to certify such courses.

Though Karnataka Parents’Association for Mentally Retarded Citizens (KPAMRC) and Academy for Severe Handicap and Autism (ASHA) in association with Information and Resource Centre has been imparting such courses for years, it is only Spasctic Society of Karnataka that has been recognised by the RCI. 

Courses offered by Spastic Society of Karnataka are full time leaving no room for flexibility, opine experts. 

The diploma courses offered by the Spastic Society of Karnataka is a full time courses that leaves no room for flexibility, say experts. 

“Most of those who come for our one-year course are parents who have to attend on the autistic children and have no time for a full-time course. We have nevertheless sent a representation to the RCI for recognition,” said a staff at KPAMRC. 

Stating there is a demand for special educators, Dr Jayashree Ramesh, Director, ASHA, said getting special educators was difficult and one cannot equate special education to RCI alone. There are few takers for the course. 

Good pay package

Most students in Psychology go for jobs that offer good pay package. Nobody promotes special education the way other courses are promoted,” said Jayashree. Also most of the training for special education in autism is in English. 

RCI Zonal Coordination Committee (Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) former head Dr Indumathi Rao  said there is a need for standardisation in course.