Don’t refer to children with autism as ‘retarded’: Activists

  • | Monday | 6th August, 2018

Aurangabad: City activists say children with disabilities like autism or learning disabilities are being given disability certificates that mention “mental retardation”. Fearing that tag of mental retardation, parents of children with learning disabilities or autism do not accept the condition of their children and are reluctant to get a disability certificate. The incorrect definition in the disability certificate adds insult to injury, she said.“There is a very negative tag associated with mental retardation. However, he said, the hospital does not have the panel required for assessing disability or the scale of it,” Maslekar said. Many parents, fearing such branding, also do not approach the government for such certification.Children who are autistic, hyperactive or suffer from learning disabilities could, with proper therapy, gain many abilities that will allow them to function normally.

Aurangabad: City activists say children with disabilities like autism or learning disabilities are being given disability certificates that mention “mental retardation”. This is causing problems, as these children are then deprived of the special facilities that should be available to them on the basis of the nature of their disability. Many parents, fearing such branding, also do not approach the government for such certification.Children who are autistic, hyperactive or suffer from learning disabilities could, with proper therapy, gain many abilities that will allow them to function normally. Occupational therapist Satish Maslekar of the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) said there is need for the central government to intervene to ensure that such children are not tagged as “retarded” and deprived of special opportunities.Aditi Shardul, project head at Vihang Special Schools, said there is a lack of awareness in society about the difference between mental retardation and mental disabilities. The incorrect definition in the disability certificate adds insult to injury, she said.“There is a very negative tag associated with mental retardation. Fearing that tag of mental retardation, parents of children with learning disabilities or autism do not accept the condition of their children and are reluctant to get a disability certificate. This leads to children losing out benefits they are entitled to,” Shardul said.Shardul and clinical psychologist Sandip Sisode have written to Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde to ensure that GMCH issues certificates with the exact medical condition.Meanwhile, GMCH occupational therapist Satish Maslekar said there is a provision in the state government’s software to issue certificates for learning disabilities. However, he said, the hospital does not have the panel required for assessing disability or the scale of it,” Maslekar said.

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