Ahead of World Autism Awareness Day on April 2, a homeopathy clinic has offered free treatment to 1,000 children aged below five suffering from it.
"The children suffering from autism will also be helped with required investigation and counselling for the next 18 months in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, Dr Ketan Patel of 'Speciality Homeopathy' said.
"Parents of affected children can register on www.Snfindia.Org/autism/treatment/freecamp2016 from April 2. Once they do so, we will give them an appointment at a suitable time," he said.
As per Centre for Disease Control and Prevention from Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, 1 in 45 children in the country are identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) compared to about 1 in 68 children globally.
"Parents must be made aware that if children suffering from autism are treated before the age of five, then they have the best chances of getting cured to the extent possible," Patel said.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by impaired social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviour. The signs are usually noticed in the first two years of ones' life.
In 2007, the United Nations declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD), to raise awareness.
