World Autism Awareness Day: Doctor explains why they don't need your sympathy

Every year, April 2 is observed to raise awareness about individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their rights. But in 2026, World Autism Awareness Day signals a major shift in perspective. This time, the United Nations is urging us to move beyond mere “awareness” towards genuine “acceptance. The theme this time, 'Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value,' underscores a fundamental truth that individuals with autism are an integral part of our society. Dr Sunny Joseph Kunnassery, founder of Kunnassery Prayatna Child Development Centre, Kochi, explains what truly matters when it comes to treating autistic individuals right. 

What is neurodiversity
Just as every person’s personality, culture and experiences are unique, so too is the way each brain works. It is this diversity that makes our world richer, more inclusive and more beautiful. This concept, known as neurodiversity, views neurodevelopmental conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder not as illnesses, but as natural variations in the way the human brain functions. People process information and respond to the world in different ways, and this difference is what we call neurodiversity. Modern thinking encourages us to see autism not as a disorder or deficiency, but as a form of human diversity.

Just as a garden blooms with a variety of flowers, society needs people with diverse ways of thinking and unique abilities. What is required is not just treatment, but inclusion. In the past, the focus was on therapies aimed at making children with Autism Spectrum Disorder `fit' into what is considered normal. Today, that perspective has evolved. Rather than trying to change them, the priority is to create environments where they can thrive as they are. 

The goals across spheres
The goal is to build an inclusive society that embraces everyone equally.
Education: Instead of limiting children with autism to special schools, mainstream schools can be adapted to meet their needs. By learning together, children grow into a more understanding and inclusive generation.
Employment: Many individuals with autism possess remarkable abilities, such as solving complex problems and paying close attention to detail. In fields such as IT, data management, and the arts, their contributions can be transformative. What is needed is the willingness to recognise and harness these strengths.
Social interaction: Public spaces such as shopping malls, parks and hospitals need to be made sensory-friendly.Excessive noise and bright lighting can be overwhelming for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, and every citizen should be aware of these sensitivities. 

Where Kerala stands
Kerala, often seen as a model in healthcare within India, is also making significant strides in autism rehabilitation. Innovative therapies and support systems offered by healthcare institutions are driving meaningful change. However, beyond medical care, it is equally important to nurture a social culture that embraces both children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

They do not need sympathy; they need equal consideration and respect. The first step is to treat them like anyone else, without staring or mocking their behaviour, and with the basic dignity every individual deserves.

Every child has unique abilities. Parents and teachers must recognise and nurture these talents, and society should be ready to embrace them. The phrase `Every life has value' should not remain just a slogan. It must become a lived culture. Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder are part of our communities. They can grow to be scientists, artists, technology experts, and collaborators alongside us. Let us work together to create a future where the term `disability' is recognised as `different ability.'