Need for awareness, early screening and multidisciplinary management to autism spectrum disorder: experts
To mark World Autism Awareness Day, Livasa Hospital, Mohali on Wednesday, highlighted the growing need for awareness, early screening, and multidisciplinary management of autism spectrum disorder(ASD) , a neurodevelopmental condition affecting an increasing number of children in India.
City Air News
Apr 1, 2026 08:24
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Chandigarh, April 1, 2026: To mark World Autism Awareness Day, Livasa Hospital, Mohali on Wednesday, highlighted the growing need for awareness, early screening, and multidisciplinary management of autism spectrum disorder(ASD) , a neurodevelopmental condition affecting an increasing number of children in India.
Dr. Anmol Sidhu, consultant–pediatrician at Livasa said,”ASD is characterized by challenges in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. The term ‘spectrum’ reflects the wide variation in symptoms and severity, with each child experiencing autism differently.”
Recent estimates suggest that 1 in 68 to 1 in 100 children in India are affected by ASD, accounting for approximately 1.12% to 1.5% of children aged 2–9 years, with a higher prevalence in boys.
Experts also emphasized that early signs are often subtle and may present as the absence of expected developmental milestones, rather than obvious abnormalities. These are most commonly identified in the second year of life, when social and communication demands increase.
Dr. Vibha Goel, consultant–psychiatry said,”Key early warning signs include, poor response to name by 1 year, no meaningful words by 18 months, limited or inappropriate play, reduced interaction with peers, repetitive behaviors or unusual movements, echolalia (repeating words), hyperactivity and toe walking.”
Meanwhile at Livasa Hospital Mohali, diagnosis is conducted using the INCLEN diagnostic tool for autism spectrum disorder for children aged 2–9 years. The hospital offers comprehensive, integrated care under one roof, ensuring timely diagnosis and personalized intervention plans for each child.
