Searched for, but too late
Summary
Saket Jha, a seven-year-old autistic boy from Dhanusha, was found dead ten days after he went missing on Dashain Tika day. The essay contrasts Nepal’s lack of autism screening, support services and missing-child protocols with the systems in place in the United States.
Key Points
- Saket Jha disappeared from his home in Devdiha, Dhanusha, and was found dead in a paddy field five kilometres away after ten days of searching.
- The writer describes how autism can make children wander, not respond to their names, and need immediate, trained search responses.
- Nepal lacks broad autism screening, trained therapists, disability-inclusive schools and a protocol for missing autistic children.
- The article urges routine autism checklists, a national guideline, trained teachers, respite care and police procedures to protect autistic children and support their families.
