Name: Dr. Kapendra Shekhar Amatya
Email: kapendrasa@hotmail.com

Please tell a little about yourself and your role with autism in Nepal.

I am a Onco-Surgeon by profession. I have a 3 and half year son with Autism.He has been diagnosed when he was two years old. Since then we had attended
workshop and training in New Delhi,India. We are now working with our child with ABA techniques. Recently the parents of children with Autism have come
together and started a organisation called Autism Care Nepal. It is a Non Profit Organisation run by passionate parents with children with Autism. We
are now sharing our knowledge of ABA with other parents.

What is the prevalence of autism in your country (if known)?

The statistical study has not been done, but it is thought to be in par with any other developing country. Autism Care Nepal has taken an initiative to do a prevalence study in the Kathmandu Valley.

Within the general culture of your country, how aware are people of autism? How accepting are they of autism?

Nepal is an old country with deep cultural roots.But Autism is a distant stranger in the country. Even people in the medical fraternity are not much aware of Autism. Since Autism Care nepal is doing awareness programme in the capital city Kathmandu; the level of awareness has risen, but still lots
needs to be done. Again more portrials of Autism in the Indian cinema and Indian soap opera has also contributed to raising awareness in Nepal.Since there is little awareness of Autism in Nepal, it is regarded as a mental disease in most places and are not easily accepted in schools and community.

What are the largest struggles for people with autism in your country? Is there a story you know personally that demonstrates this?

I believe getting a proper diagnosis still remains the greatest struggle for children and parents. Recently we met a boy of 17 years who just received his diagnosis. The other vital struggle is to receive proper education and therapy for people with autism. Most of the aggresive children are mostly
locked up in the darkest corners of the house. We know of a youg boy with autism, whose father had to hire 3 male people to look after his boy. We do
not have any special educators for children with Autism in Nepal. We also lack occupational therapist, and Autism specific speech pathologist.

Where do these children go when they turn 18 and there are no more “school” placements available and their parents cannot cope? Most of the children with autism are at home. Very few abled ones have joined
school. The don't even have to reach age of "18" to be out of school. Most of them even don't get to see grade 1. and most of them are rejected from
nursery school.

What have been some of the greatest successes in your country in regards to autism?

The only positive step that has been introduced in Nepal is the opening of Autism Care Nepal. Here we are raising awareness, giving councelling to the
parents, Teaching few of ABA techniques, explaining to them about behaviors.We are also lobbying into the government sector to recognize Autism and
rights of children with Autism. We love to Open a school for children with autism but we lack professionals like special educators, occupational
therapist, etc; so we are planning to open a day care center for these children so that we can use our little resourse to make life of our children
better.

What types of training and assistance are needed in your country to improve autism awareness and services?

We need to have a workshop done to raise awareness among parents of children with autism, pediatrician, Psychiatrists, and teacher. As we have very few
volunteers, we need to train parents of children with autism about ABA, TEEACH so that they can understand their children and work for their
betterment. We really need you help in training our local professional to establish a good center for children with Autism in Nepal. Thank you