Kathmandu, Sept. 3 -- The Autism Directive Taskforce submitted the draft of the National Autism Guideline to the Ministry of Health and Population on Monday.

The taskforce, headed by Deepak Prakash Mahara, was assigned to prepare a national framework ensuring the care, education and rights of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

The draft recognises autism as a major public health challenge and stresses multi-sectoral coordination for its management.

The document sets out a phased plan engaging all three tiers of government. At the federal level, it calls for a National Autism Committee to oversee policy, law and investment issues.

The report wants the provinces to establish resource centres to run awareness and training p...