Autism is on the rise in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives - the countries within
the SAARC region. We need urgent action by the Heads of State and national governments in the SSARC region to look into the
rise in autism and find common ways and strategies in tackling the whole issue of autism, joint educational and health strategies,
the sharing of good practice from SAARC countries.
SAARC provides a platform for the people of South Asia to work together.
Our recommendations:
We urge the President of Sri Lanka,to take the urgent matter up of AUTISM IN SAARC with the Heads of State
in the SAARC region.
We urge SAARC Health, Education and Social Services to discuss the matter at their respective Summits
We recommend the setting up of a SAARC Autism Committee comprising of officials from the SAARC countries to discuss ways
forward.
We urge SAARC countries to launch a data collection initiative in their respective countries and provide public services
for people with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.
We recommend a common strategy in relation to the traaining of special educational needs teachers and specialist
speech therapists in the SAARC region
Our appeal to SAARC Leaders - please reach out to the Autistic Community in the SAARC region. Autism is a time bomb waiting
to happen. If there is a rise in numbers of people with autism in South Asia, are SAARC countries in a position to provide
public services for these people who have a very specific disability. Have staff been trained, what about the dissemination
of information on Autism and Asperger's Syndrome in the major languages of the SAARC region.
There are only a handful of organisations in the voluntary sector who are in a position to help the Autistic Community.
National Governments must provide the support services for all people with disabilities. We need new ways of thinking where
disabilities in the SAARC region is concerned.
We urge action in SAARC and we are asking the President of Sri Lanka to take this matter up with SAARC Heads of State.
