Generation A: Life Perspectives, Potentials, Challenges and Future of Neurodiverse Stars in India

Abstract

In India, one in 500 people (Balaji, 2019) are diagnosed with ASD. Around 40 non-governmental organizations cater to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) children; out of that, a few organizations focus on adults providing them vocational training to make them employable. One such exercise was initiated by SAP Labs India, a leading software company, and Enable India, an Indian NGO where they developed a focused training program for people with ASD and placed them in vital technical jobs in SAP Labs India (Karwa, 2016). First, we peek into the lifestyles of a few successful neurodiverse rock stars in India and their journey from becoming aware of their profile to establishing a career and becoming a role model to other people with ASD. Second, we present the autism landscape in India. Third, we explore the organizations that have hired people with ASD, their policies connected to neurodiversity, and the organizations that give training and support. Fourth, we present the potentials and the challenges people with ASD face. Fifth and final, we cover the role of different stakeholders to foster support and up-skill people with ASD for better community development.

Citation

Annamalai, S. and Niranjan, L. (2022), "Generation A: Life Perspectives, Potentials, Challenges and Future of Neurodiverse Stars in India", Hurley-Hanson, A.E. and Giannantonio, C.M. (Ed.) Generation A (Emerald Studies in Workplace Neurodiversity), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 179-198. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80262-263-820220011