SEA/RC67/22 - Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and developmental disabilities (SEA/RC65/R8)

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (‎ASD)‎ comprise a range of developmental disorders characterized by impaired capacity for reciprocal sociocommunicative interaction and a restricted, stereotyped repertoire of interests and activities. In May 2012, childhood mental disorders, which include ASD and other developmental disorders, were considered by the Sixty-fifth World Health Assembly, which adopted resolution WHA65.4 on the global burden of mental disorders and the need for a comprehensive, coordinated response from the health and social sectors at the country level. It requested the Director-General of WHO to develop a comprehensive mental health action plan, which was submitted to the Sixty-sixth World Health Assembly. Member States of the South-East Asia Region are progressively recognizing the need to promote stronger and coordinated actions regionally and globally for improving access to high-quality care for children with ASD and other developmental disorders by adopting the Dhaka Declaration on Autism Spectrum Disorders (‎26 July 2011)‎. Furthermore, at its Sixty-fifth Session the Regional Committee for South-East Asia adopted resolution SEA/RC65/R8 on Comprehensive and coordinated efforts for the management of autism spectrum disorders and developmental disabilities and the Delhi Declaration of the South Asian Autism Network (‎SAAN)‎ in New Delhi on 11 February 2013. The High-Level Preparatory (‎HLP)‎ Meeting held in the Regional Office in New Delhi, India, from 14 to 17 July 2014 reviewed the attached progress report and made the following recommendations: Actions by Member States (‎1)‎ Investment/resource mobilization and political commitment to the needs and services for ASD should be scaled up. (‎2)‎ The capacity and linkages of health and social care systems should be improved as appropriate, so that services for individuals and families with ASD and other developmental disorders are more accessible. (‎3)‎ Research and campaigns to raise public awareness and remove stigma consistent with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities should be supported. (‎4)‎ Promotion and monitoring of child and adolescent development should be mainstreamed into public health-care services in order to ensure timely detection and management of ASD and other developmental disorders according to national circumstances. Actions by the WHO Regional Office (‎1)‎ A regional strategy and action plan should be developed and support provided to the Member States for adaptation and adoption at the country level. (‎2)‎ WHO should collaborate in research activities and provide technical support for capacity-building in promoting comprehensive community-based care to persons suffering from ASD and to their families.