Madhya Pradesh HC Asks State To Provide Treatment To Autistic Children At State Cost [Read Order]

The bench comprising Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Virender Singh also requested NGOs to come forward and help out each and every Autistic Child.

The court was interacting with the child while hearing an appeal in a divorce petition. "The child exhibited a truly "Divine Smile" on his innocent face, which is capable of melting anybody's heart", said the bench.

Moved by this, it directed the Principal Secretary, Health Department and the District Magistrate Khargone to make all endeavor to provide desired treatment to the child and all similarly placed Autistic Children, if possible at State Cost and also provide interaction and intervention of the medical specialists at intermittent intervals.

Autism may be a disease in medical science but it prima facie appears to be a behavioral disorder capable of being taken care of with absolute love and compassion by all of us, the bench added. It then made this suggestion:

"The State of Madhya Pradesh as a "Custodian of the Faith of its Citizen" must come forward and Frame guidelines for the betterment and treatment of Autistic Children and we express our similar request to all NGOs of the country to come forward and help out each and every Autistic Child of our dear Country and help empowering these Special Children to shine out as a Bright and Capable Citizens of tomorrow."

Read Order