Nepal Autism Summit: A systemic response to autism inclusion in Nepal
Support for autism in Nepal is scattered across ministries, schools, clinics, and families who mostly work alone. This Summit puts them in one room for a day, across six tracks, to agree on what happens next and to form a group that carries it forward.
The gap we are meeting about
Nepal's schools recorded 464 autistic children in early childhood classrooms in 2024/25. Applying the rate found by the only population study conducted in Nepal, or the rate the World Health Organization uses globally, the number of autistic children actually sitting in those classrooms is somewhere between 3,900 and 10,300.
Nearly all of them are unidentified. A parent who notices something and starts looking for help waits, on average, another 29 months for a diagnosis. The country has fewer than twelve child psychiatrists.
The law is not what is missing. The Constitution guarantees free education. The Act Relating to Rights of Persons with Disabilities names autism and gives 753 local governments a clear list of duties. What has never been built is the chain that joins a household to a health post, a health post to a ward office, and a ward office to a classroom.
What this day produces
-
National recommendations, endorsed by the institutions taking part.
-
The release of Nepal's dataset on autism in schools and in family support systems.
-
A standing working group, with a chair and a date for its next meeting.
Recommendations expire. A working group does not.
Six tracks, one day
Early identification and early education
Parents, families and legal guardianship
Financial empowerment and social accountability
Health, science and technology
Policy and laws
Research and academics
Organisers and partners
Convened by Inclusive Education Nepal with the organisations named below. The Summit is financed by the organising group itself and no external agency or donor is supporting it.
Have your say before the day
Three ways to shape the Summit's agenda before it happens. Open now for parents and caregivers, organisations, and pre-Summit track teams.
Parent and Caregiver Survey
For parents and caregivers of autistic children — help us understand your experiences, needs, and priorities.
Take the survey
Autism Support Survey — 2026
For organisations working in or related to autism — help us map the current landscape of support, practices, challenges and needs in Nepal.
Take the survey
Pre-Summit Track Teams
Join discussions and preparations across the six thematic tracks ahead of the Summit.
Register your interest