Autism Assessment Program and Certification process of ASD In India

“Autism Spectrum Disorder” is a neuro-developmental condition typically appearing in the first three year of life that significantly affects a person’s ability to communicate, understand relationships and related to others and is frequently associated with unusual or stereotypical rituals or behaviour (The rights of persons with Disabilities ‘Act 2016’ clause (ZC) of section 2)

Application for Autism Disability Certificate

Any person with specified disability may apply in Form I for a disability certificate to the concerned medical authority in a government hospital where he may be undergoing or may have undergone treatment in connection with his disability:

Provided that where a person with disability is a minor or suffering from intellectual disability or any other disability which renders him unfit or unable to make such an application himself, the application on his behalf may be made by his legal guardian.

The application shall be accompanied by –

1. Proof of residence;
2. Two recent passport size photographs; and
3. Aadhar number or Aadhar enrolment number, if any.

(Department of empowerment of persons with disabilities (Divyangjan) notification Dated 10th March 2017 chapter VII)

Autism Assessment Program and Certification tools

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment issued Guidelines for evaluation and Autism assessment through Notification dated 25th April 2016. For identification of Autism cases the INCLEN (International ClinicalEpidemiology Network) tools shall be used. Now we use AIIMS modified INDT (INCLEN Diagnostic Tool).

ASD diagnostic tool used for ages 2-9 years. The Indian scale of Autism Assessment Program and Certification has been developed which provides the detailed assessment procedure and tools for assessing the extent of disability for persons with Autism beyond 6 years of age. There are 40 statements which are divided under six domains, for which psychologists do a five point rating for each item by observing the child and by interviewing the parents in order to assess
Autism.

Medical Authority

It comprises of members from the following fields:

1. Clinical psychologist/ Rehabilitation psychologist
2. A psychiatrist
3. A pediatrician or General physician as the case may be.
4. Certification

Based on the identification of cases of Autism in term of INCLEN tools, Autism Certification on the basis of ISAA tool shall be issued the certificate would be valid for a period of 5 years for those whose disability is temporary and are below the age 18 years. For those who acquire permanent disability,
the Validity can be shown as “Permanent” in the certificate.

On the receipt of online application under Rule 19, the medical authority shall verify the information as provided by the applicant and shall assess the disability in terms of the relevant guidelines issued by the Center Government. Once the criteria are met with, the medical authority shall issue a disability certificate in the individual’s favor through the UDID (Unique Disability ID) portal.

For applications other than online mode, the medical authority shall, ensure that the application is digitized and transferred to the online channel and shall follow the same procedure as provided under sub-rule (1) for issuing disability certificate.

The Autism disability certificate shall be issued within a month from the date of receipt of the application by the medical authority.

Concessions in Education–

This year, the Central Board of Secondary Education has sent a circular to all their schools dated 26 th September, 2018, CBSE/COORD/112233/2018 with regards to the concessions for individuals with disability.

The Education Department of Maharashtra has also modified their Notification dated 16 October 2018 for Exemptions/concessions extended to persons with Benchmark disabilities for class X & XII Examination.

Autism Spectrum Disorder certified student should get following Exemption:

1. Flexibility in choosing subjects
2. Relaxation of attendance (on request)
3. Exemption in studying second language
4. Examination room on ground floor
5. Options of skill based subject

– Ajit Patil, Rehabilitation Psychologist at
Government Medical College & Hospital, Miraj

Note: Know more about Autism Signs and Symptoms, Therapies and Therapists in your area.