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Research on Autism in IndiaIn general, relatively little has been written about on autism in developing countries as compared with what has been published on autism in North America and Europe. However, of all the developing countries, India has by far the greatest wealth of research articles, with over 56 articles, chapters and books which relate to the topic. Interestingly, much of this literature appears to go unnoticed by Indians, and there have been consistent references to many of these publications with comments such as "probably one of the initial attempts in Indian literature to describe and discuss" the disorder. In addition to these published articles, there have been smaller, unpublished research studies, several of which Action for Autism has been involved.
AFA has a longstanding committment to research in the field of autism. We strongly believe that research in all areas of development, language, socialization, family functioning, and diagnosis, as well as more basic research in areas such as genetics, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and other more specialized technologies can help us better understand both the phenomenology and treatment of people with autism. With its vast network of families throughout South Asia and connections to families throughout the world, AFA has been pleased to participate in many collaborative research projects, as well as provide support to visiting scholars from abroad. We learn greatly from these research collaborations, and look forward to future opportunities.
Research conducted by AFA or in collaboration with AFA:
Characterizing and Improving Face-processing Skills in Children with Autism
(requires Adobe Acrobat)
(requires Adobe Acrobat)
Other Research of Note:
CALCUTTA, India: In the first study of the genetics of autism in India, scientists in Calcutta have found that some fathers may transfer a version of a gene that makes their children susceptible to autism...Read the full story at Autism Connect
Given current epidemiologic estimates, there are approximately 1.7 million individuals with autism in India. The primary objective of this research project is to assess the screening and diagnostic prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, in children between the ages of 2-9 in India and gain information on risk factors in these children. The investigators will develop a novel neurodevelopmental disability screening tool and consensus clinical criteria, and validate these instruments so that they can be used in as a diagnostic instrument for further evaluation of the prevalence of autism in this country. In addition to studying the prevalence of autism in Indian, the investigators will also identify the full clinical spectrum of autism using their test instruments. In addition to case ascertainment, potential risk factors for autism, including infections, nutritional deficiencies and genetic factors will be identified through open ended interviews with health personnel... Read the full description at the Autism Speaks website
The First Reference to Autism in the Indian Literature?
Tamara C. Daley, Ph.D.Note: We appreciate appropriate reference this article as originating from the Action for Autism website.
While of little practical interest, it is nevertheless intriguing to look back at the history of Autism, and particularly the history of Autism in India. Since the late 1950's, articles have appeared in Indian medical and social journals and books in which the authors describe cases of pervasive developmental disorder, using the terminology of the day. However, it is also interesting to ponder the possibility that reports of what we now call "autism" may have appeared under different names prior to the 1943 article in which Leo Kanner named it so.
In possibly the first reference to autism and the pervasive developmental disorders in the Indian literature, a report comes from a Viennese pediatrician A. Ronald, working in Darjeeling at the time. Ronald presented an overview of the detection, causes, types and treatment of what he termed 'abnormal children' in the very same year as Kanner's hallmark publication: 1944. This article holds significance not only for its potential early reference to autism, but because it is one of the earliest scholarly discussions of child mental health in the leading medical and social journals of the time, and the first in the Indian Journal of Pediatrics.
Ronald devotes the article to discussing various types of "difficult" children, including the "deviant" behavior of anger, disobedience, lack of cleanliness, vanity, lack of politeness, jealousy, lying, and fanatically truthful children, as well as 'frightful children'. At the end of his discussion, Ronald adds one final type of "difficult" child, what he termed the "precociousness of a child." What follows is his description.
"The precociousness of a child is not always limited to specific spheres, not to conception alone, on the other hand, it extends to the whole of mental personality…such children are quite different from others in respoect of behaviour, speech, movements, and work. The child-like conduct has partly or fully disappeared, the mental attitude of such a child becomes somewhat strange and repulsive…such children are no longer child-like, they do not play and are not cheerful. Partial precociousness shows itself in the development of a particular sense, for example, musical sense, calculations, mechanical handling, and so on. In this group is included the so called prodigy…" (p. 24)
This description, while tantalizingly short, highlights a number of the same areas as Leo Kanner in his 1944 article. Ronald notes that this type of problem does not just effect one area, but 'extends to the whole of mental personality.' Today we might call that the "pervasive" aspect of the disorder. Ronald's observation that the 'child like conduct' of such children is compromised, and that play is absent; one of the most salient features of a young autistic child. Just as Kanner noted, Ronald also remarks that these children may show a special ability in an isolated area, yet concludes with the foreboding caveat that despite these abilities, these children, "who do well in school and go ahead of others, do not always succeed in after life." As any parent of a child who has remarkable mathematical or other abilities, or whose child passes his exams knows, these talents do not necessarily guarantee that the child's adult life is secure.
Certainly it is conceivable that Ronald is referring not to autism, but rather to children with a less pervasive problem. Yet the possibility remains that Dr. Ronald may just have provided history with another early description of Autism-- and all the way from India!
Note: We appreciate appropriate reference this article as originating from the Action for Autism website.