When it comes to how children with autism are treated in schools, the contrast between India and many Western countries is more than just a difference in rules—it’s a reflection of how India values human diversity. It’s about how much people are willing to understand, adapt, and include those who experience the world differently.
Inclusion: More Than a Policy
Inclusion is more than a buzzword in many Western classrooms—it’s a commitment. Autism is officially recognised, and schools are required to provide individualised support. Whether it’s a personalised learning plan, the presence of a trained aide, or placement in a supportive mainstream environment, the goal is clear and it states “Help each child thrive in his/her way.” In India, while the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act of 2016 exists, proper understanding and implementation remain inconsistent. Special schools are available, but they’re often costly and limited to urban areas. Rural families are left with a few options. And while it’s spoken of inclusion, it usually doesn’t go beyond paper.
Listening to the Child
One of the most powerful things one can do for any child is to listen. In many Western education systems, autistic children are encouraged to voice their preferences—how they learn, what helps them feel safe, what overwhelms them. And those preferences are taken seriously. In India, the existing system is still deeply top-down. It’s expected that all children follow the same rigid path. Autistic students are often forced into academic settings that don’t suit them, not because they lack potential, but because no one paused to ask what they truly need.
The Value of Life Skills
In Western schools, learning to cook a simple meal, manage money, travel independently, or build relationships is seen as important as passing a test. These aren’t extras—they’re essentials. Because being able to live with confidence and dignity matters more than a perfect score.
In India, the focus remains locked on grades. Many parents, out of deep love and concern, push their children into traditional academics, even when it causes distress to them. Life skills, emotional growth, and social confidence are often left behind.
Who Will Look After Them Tomorrow?
In the West, conversations about adulthood start early. There are systems in place—supported housing, adult social care, guardianship planning—to ensure that autistic individuals are not left behind when their parents are no longer around.
In Indian system this is the unspoken fear in many households. It’s not spoken enough about the future. There are a few long-term care options and little state support is available. Parents are often left carrying the full weight of worry, unsure who will care for their child when they no longer can.
Acceptance Begins at Home
In many Western families, acceptance of autism has grown over time—helped by open dialogue, community support, and public awareness. Parents learn to celebrate their child’s differences by embracing them. In India, stigma still casts a long shadow. Diagnosis is often delayed. Some families hide it. Even when they accept it, the pressure to “fix” the child or make them appear “normal” persists. It’s not due to a lack of love—it’s the weight of Indian social expectations and a lack of support that makes acceptance feel so hard.
Seen, Not Hidden
In the West, it’s not unusual to see autistic children and adults in parks, schools, public transport, and workplaces. Their presence is visible, and their differences are accommodated, if not always perfectly, then at least openly.
In India, too many autistic children remain behind closed doors—not because they can’t be included, but because society still doesn’t know how to include them. It’s to be learnt that spaces are created where difference isn’t just tolerated but embraced.
The Path Forward
If a future is desired where autistic individuals are supported, empowered, and respected, it must move from words to action. That means adopting the following measures.
* Making life skills part of every school’s curriculum
* Equipping teachers to understand and embrace neurodiversity
* Creating real, accessible care and housing options for adults
* Enforcing disability rights laws in practice—not just on paper
* And encouraging families to replace pressure with patience, and fear with understanding
Final Thought
Autistic children don’t need to be changed—they need to be seen, heard, and supported. While Western countries are moving in that direction, India still has a long way to go. there is knowledge. There is passion. What is needed is the will. Inclusion isn’t about making autistic children fit in the world. It’s about reshaping our world to fit every child.
Dr Prriyam M Gunjal is a London based Psychologist who has Specialisation in Autism education
