Safety of children with autism and other disabilities

16-05-15 

Mr. M.G Rajamanickam, IAS 

District Collector 

Collectorate, Kakkanad

Ernakulam- 682030

Kerala.

Respected Sir, 

Subject : Safety of children with autism and other disabilities 

In the wake of several unhealthy practices reported by parents who seek therapeutic help through private therapy centres /hospitals in Ernakulam District, for their children diagnosed with neurological disabilities, the initiative Together We Can (TWC) began.

This is to bring to your notice the extent of the problem and the need for timely intervention. These parents are dependent on the private therapy centres for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, special education services, psychological counselling and other services that are imperative to the progress of their children with neurological disabilities. 

As of now there is no regulatory body that looks into the functioning of such centres whose services are crucial to the development of children with disabilities so as to help them function inclusively in mainstream schools. 

However we have come to know through interactions with several parents and visits to therapy centres that extreme cases of negligence and apathy is rampant mainly because there is nobody these centres are answerable or accountable to other than parents. 

Unfortunately the parents who are still in the stage of shock and denial of accepting their child’s condition are taken into confidence by fake promises of “cure”.  In an extreme case a 5 year old child diagnosed with autism broke his arm during therapy and the centre has neither given a convincing reply nor are they willing to changes ways. 

It is of great concern that during the therapy session the parents are made to wait outside while the child who cannot communicate is under the mercy of a trained adult who is expected to teach.  There is nobody to monitor even if an abuse of any nature happens inside the closed door.  Ignorance and lack of awareness on part of the parent and inability of the child to communicate make them live at the mercy of anything and everything that is told to and done to them inside the closed rooms. 

In addition, a significant number of parents voiced that they are not being given an IEP (Individualised education program), they are not given a written home program and are not trained on ‘how’ to handle their child at home. Most parents voiced that they are not given a review of progress. Children with disabilities are the most vulnerable group and easy prey to abuse of any kind. Sir, we request your active support in creating an ethical, transparent, accountable, inclusive, safe and healthy therapy practices within the Ernakulam District. 

We are attaching herewith our petition sent to the SCPRC – State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the District Child Welfare Committee. 

Thank you so much for your time and patience; look forward to your dynamic support and timely action to prevent any further unfortunate events from happening. 

Sincerely,

All @ Together We Can