In the quiet corridors of Kashmir’s premier medical institutes, a silent shift is occurring. What was once dismissed in households as “slow growth” or “shyness” is now being identified by its clinical name: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
By Jahangeer Ganaie
In the quiet corridors of Kashmir’s premier medical institutes, a silent shift is occurring. What was once dismissed in households as “slow growth” or “shyness” is now being identified by its clinical name: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). As global and local awareness increases, the valley is witnessing a surge in reported cases not necessarily because the condition is “spreading,” but because the veil of silence is finally being lifted.
However, as the numbers rise, the infrastructure to support these children remains precariously thin. Experts are now sounding the alarm: without early intervention, a specialized workforce, and a radical shift in societal acceptance, a generation of neurodivergent children may be left behind.
The Diagnosis
For many Kashmiri families, receiving an autism diagnosis feels like a dead end. But experts argue that the diagnosis is merely the beginning of a different journey. Renowned psychiatrist Dr. Abrar Guroo emphasizes that the clinical definition often fails to capture the humanity of the child.
“It’s important to approach autism with empathy and sensitivity rather than limiting it to a clinical diagnosis. As a psychiatrist, one thing I have learnt from children with autism is that they experience the world differently, not less deeply. Our job is not to change who they are, but to understand them better.”
Dr. Guroo elaborates that autism is far more than a label in medical records; it represents a spectrum of unique developmental patterns that vary from child to child.
“Autism is not simply a diagnosis in a file. It is a child who may struggle to speak, to connect, or to be understood, but with early support and patience, their potential can surprise us all.”
The Critical Window
In Kashmir, the greatest hurdle remains the “wait-and-watch” culture. Many parents, influenced by well-meaning but ill-informed elders, wait until a child is four or five years old before seeking help for speech delays or social withdrawal. By then, the critical window for neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt has begun to narrow.
Dr. Aijaz Abdullah, another leading psychiatrist in the region, highlights the transformative impact of early recognition.
“Early signs of autism, such as delayed speech, minimal eye contact, repetitive behaviours, and challenges in social interaction, are frequently overlooked in many Kashmiri households. These signs are often dismissed as temporary delays, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention.”
Dr. Abdullah notes that the initial anxiety parents feel is natural, but it must be channeled into action.
“Many parents come to us worried about delayed speech or poor eye contact. Recognising these signs early and seeking help can make a huge difference in the child’s development. We should remember that awareness is only the first step. What families really need is acceptance, support, and early intervention.”
A Tale of Two Kashmiris
While awareness is blooming in urban centers like Srinagar, the reality in rural districts like Kupwara, Shopian, and Ganderbal is starkly different. Current data suggests that while the prevalence of ASD in India is estimated at approximately 1 in 68 children, the resources in Jammu & Kashmir are not keeping pace.
The valley faces a severe shortage of:
- Occupational Therapists: Essential for sensory integration.
- Speech and Language Pathologists: Vital for non-verbal children.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Experts: The gold standard for behavioral intervention.
“Despite increasing awareness, access to specialized therapies, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, and behavioural interventions, remains limited in Kashmir, particularly in rural and remote areas. Many families are forced to travel long distances or depend on expensive private services, placing both financial and emotional strain on caregivers,” says a local medical officer.
For a parent in a remote village, a single session of speech therapy can cost more than their daily wage, not including the cost of travel to Srinagar. This financial “toxicity” often leads to the discontinuation of treatment, leaving the child without a voice literally and figuratively.
Ability over Disability
The prevailing medical model often views autism as something to be “cured.” However, the modern neurodiversity movement and local experts are pushing back against this narrative.
“Autism is not a lack of ability; it is a different way of experiencing and communicating with the world,” says Dr. Abdullah.
This perspective shifts the burden of “fixing” from the child to the environment. If a child cannot learn in a traditional classroom, the classroom must adapt. If a child is overwhelmed by the noise of a bustling marketplace, the community must provide sensory-friendly spaces.
Dr. Guroo adds that the presence of neurodivergent individuals in society is a litmus test for our collective humanity.
“One thing autism teaches us is humility, every mind works differently, and sometimes the child is not the one who needs to change; the world around them does.”
The Shadow of Stigma
Beyond the lack of therapists lies the “social tax” paid by parents. In many Kashmiri communities, developmental disabilities are still shrouded in shame or attributed to supernatural causes. This stigma isolates families, preventing them from accessing community support.
“Parents of children with autism often grapple with social stigma and a lack of understanding within their communities, further compounding their challenges,” notes a clinical psychologist working with families in North Kashmir.
The result is a double isolation: the child is isolated by their condition, and the parents are isolated by society.
To move from “awareness” to “inclusion,” Kashmir requires a multi-pronged approach:
- District-Level Intervention Centers: Decentralizing care so that families in rural areas don’t have to migrate for therapy.
- School Inclusion Programs: Training teachers in government and private schools to manage neurodivergent students rather than suggesting they “find a special school.”
- Financial Support: Subsidizing expensive therapies for low-income families through government health schemes.
As the sun sets over the Dal Lake, hundreds of parents are sitting in living rooms, trying to find a way to connect with children who see the world in high-definition colors and patterns that others miss. The experts are clear: the potential is there. The intelligence is there. The only thing missing is a world ready to meet them halfway.
In the words of Dr. Guroo, the goal isn’t just to help these children survive, but to ensure they thrive in a world that finally learns to speak their language. (With inputs from KNO)
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of this newspaper
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