Autism is an incapacitating pervasive neuro-developmental disorder. Families of children with autism suffer mentally, emotionally, socially, and financially while nurturing their loved one in the family who has Autism. Every parent tends to hope that their child will be cured and they continue to visit different places for the betterment of their children. In the due course ACNS was registered in the initiation of Dr. Hem Sagar Baral and Ms. Kalpana Ghimire on the auspicious occasion of “World Autism Awareness Day”, 2nd April 2008 to ensure the rights of children and people with autism in Nepal for their independent and dignified life. This initiation was joined by few other dedicated parents and took the initiative into a different level. At the initial start, it was more focused on awareness-raising activities and sharing knowledge among parents. Over the years, ACNS has grown to all alongside; all in terms of resources, capacity, learning, networking, and getting visibility at National and International forums.

As a member with my engagement from the very inception of the ACNS to date, it would make sense to recall our history where we started this organization from a private room in 2008, then gradually giving shape of office in Gairidhara and later on contribution of its 7 core/founder members in 2009. Today, we are all set to establish our services in a well-equipped building in Godawari, Lalitpur. ACNS has been gradually expanding its services along with the continuous process of organizational development and upgrading the capacity of its staff through different possibilities. ACNS is raising awareness and advocating for the rights of people with autism in Nepal. ACNS has been relentlessly advocating with the Government and other relevant stakeholders on the possible threat to the Nation if it is not addressed appropriately.

As Autism is the Spectrum, each person is unique needing corresponding nature of individual intervention. We  have also been able to receive International Research grant “NAMASTE” Neurodevelopment and Autism in South Asia Treatment and Evidence. We are hopeful such multinational collaboration will establish strong ground on early detection and early intervention of Autism and Neurodevelopmental disabilities.

Our Goal from the inception to establish a National Centre for Autism is now taking the direction and making early moves where we have constructed an autism-friendly building in Godawari, Lalitpur. However still needs a lot of effort for its operation and to actually run as a Centre of excellence offering services to the persons with ASDs and their associates.

We are very much optimistic that this annual report serves as a showcase document of our programs and projects. I take this opportunity to pay my sincere gratitude to all dedicated staff, board, advisors, and parents for their contribution to make this report a meaningful document.

ACNS would not be in the position today without the support from the Government of Nepal, Jim and Marlyin Simons Family, HealthCare Nepal, Roth Family, Abilis foundation, Autism Sweden, MyRight, Autism Denmark/Disabled People Organisation Denmark, AutismCare Nepal Norway, Australian Embassy, Kathmandu, UNESCO, UNICEF, Manchester UK, Handicap International, Disability Relief Fund. We pay our very honest and sincere gratitude for your all contributions at the different stages of ACNS. I also take this opportunity to thank the editorial team to prepare this Annual Report as well. Finally, I would like to thank each one of you who have been part of our journey, and we expect the same level of continuous support from everyone in the future to have a meaningful impact on our vision of “independent and dignified life of people with autism in Nepal.”

Dr. Sunita Maleku Amatya

Chairperson