Health consultant’s claims on treating autism draw flak

KOCHI: Activists and NGOs working on autism and with autistic children have expressed their strong displeasure at the ‘promise of 100% cure for autism without medicines’ by Kailash Mantry, a Mumbai-based mental health consultant and life coach.

Mantry claimed on various websites and in the media that “Autism is caused by various reasons like deep-rooted anxiety and nervous, emotional, and mental breakdown.

There is also no full-proof test for identifying the disease in people. We conducted comprehensive research on it and arrived at the conclusion that autism can be cured 100% without medicine”.

Several activists under the aegis of national platform for rights of the disabled have filed a petition with the Maharashtra state medical council seeking action against him. “We have decided to report this to the authorities concerned,” said Seema Lal of Kochi-based NGO TogetherWeCan whose PIL in Kerala high court saw the state issuing guidelines for therapy centres in Kerala.

The petition said, “As you are aware, the claims made by Mantry who at times uses various titles and designations, including that of a “Life Coach” are not backed by scientific/medical evidence. Such dubious claims undermine all the work that is ongoing towards empowering families of autistic children and working towards their rights.”

“It is such misleading claims that push the families of autistic children into further vulnerability and block their agency. It neither empowers nor enables their journeys... ,” the petition said.

Mantry also claims that the said cure is possible within two to three years of his treatment which costs Rs 50-60 lakh, which is nothing but exploitation,the activists said.

“There is a need for awareness on the condition. There are doctors in this state who claim to treat autism. Initially, every parent will look for a treatment solution but soon we realise that these children need to be trained and prepared for daily life,” said Sivadas A K, secretary, Autism Club, Thiruvananthapuram.