However, this hospital only deals with children afflicted with cerebral palsy. As Dr G S Ranavat points out, ‘‘We don’t treat autism here as it does not fall under the hospital situation. This is the reason no medical institution really looks into it.’’

Autism is an information-processing disorder also known as Pervasive Development Disorder. It is primarily a brain disorder which causes people to have difficulty following the same rules of communication and socialisation that come naturally to others.

Though causes are yet to be identified, research suggests that there is no single cause. It could be partially genetic and in some cases, there is speculation on the link between toxins and pollutants in the environment.

Lack of awareness about the disease often leads to delayed diagnosis, which hampers the possible progress of the child. Lack of research and awareness of the disorder manifests itself in the dearth of infrastructure. There are only a handful of institutions capable of meeting the requirements of an autistic child.

Reflects Dr Brajesh Udani of Hinduja Hospital, one of the more well-known doctors working in this field: ‘‘Awareness has only increased in the last 10-12 years. The percolation of information from the medical community to lay persons to the government is bound will take long.’’

But often the main problem is that hospitals don’t seem to have any specialised infrastructure for autism. Says Dr Santosh Kumar Shetty of Breach Candy Hospital, ‘‘What we need is a dedicated centre providing vocational therapy, speech therapy and other facilities. But sadly, the priorities of most hospitals lie in areas that generate revenue such as orthopedics, cardiology, etc. ’’

However, the situation is not as dismal as it appears. Social organisations are coming together to offer help and support to parents of autistic children. One such organisation is Forum for Autism, which in collaboration with Parents Forum for Appropriate Education of the Child (PACE), organises workshops to spread awareness and guide parents in dealing with their autistic child.

The Sairam Autism Centre at Sewri, started in 1998, offers facilities for autistic children which include a special school, a vocational centre and a national open school, where these children can give their Std 10 exams. It offers special care, treatment and training along with assessment facilities and the required therapists. The centre is among the few in Mumbai offering Caryotype Testing, which tests the possible presence of the fragile X chromosome that is linked to autism.

Similar schools such as Ashiana Institute for Autism in Andheri, set up in 1999, offers ‘‘a great teacher-student ratio, keeping in mind the one-on-one ratio required by autistic children,’’ says a trustee. There are also two schools run by PACE, which cater to the lower income groups.

For more information contact PACE at 6414171 and 2041908.