When Action for Autism started way back in early 90’s, most people in India had not heard about autism. Persistent efforts have seen significant changes taking place at multiple levels: a diagnosis is received quicker, parents feel more comfortable taking their children to public places, awareness is reaching even smaller towns, and there are specialized help lines to assist autistic air travelers. One can even catch a flight accompanied by a guide dog! But, most efforts have been focused on younger people. Very few services look at adults and the aging population of individuals with autism.

Most persons with autism require lifelong support in significant aspects of their daily life such as self-care, financial or in their vocation and employment. With extended family systems in India fast disappearing, society provides no viable alternative support mechanisms for persons with autism when they lose their caregivers and are on their own. Specialist residential centers, that can provide this support when parents are no longer there or are unwell, are barely existent.