Child neurodevelopment and autism research unit launches in South Asia

A £6.95 million Global Health Research Unit on Neurodevelopment and Autism for children in South Asia is to launch with the help of University of Manchester expertise. The NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Neurodevelopment and Autism in South Asia Treatment and Evidence - known as NAMASTE - has been awarded by National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) using UK aid from the UK Government which supports global health research. NAMASTE builds on Manchester's own autism programme and more than a decade of partnership with India, to implement a novel integrated detection-care pathway for young children with autism and their families in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, using lay health workers. NAMASTE will also develop much needed research capacity in the field of neurodevelopmental disorders in South Asia. Autism Spectrum Disorder ('Autism') is a severe neurodevelopmental disability with significant impact on children's social development and independence into adulthood and profound economic consequences. The WHO included autism as a key priority in its Mental Health Action Plan in 2014. About five million families in India live with a young autistic child, the great majority with no access to services.