Breakthrough: KP Gains First Practicing Specialists In Autism Diagnosis

News Desk

Peshawar: In a significant development, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has received its first practicing specialists in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) that would potentially address the needs of autistic children in the region, offering improved access to diagnostic services and alleviating some of the challenges faced by families.

Speech Language Pathologist Rutaba Arif and Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) Therapist Kashif Khan, at the Centre for Excellence for Special Children with Autism in Peshawar, have both qualified as Practicing ADOS-2 Specialists.

ASD is a complex neuro-developmental condition that has seen a steady increase in cases in the province in recent years. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) is a standardised assessment tool crucial for diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in both children and adults.

ADOS-2 is designed to gather information in areas such as communication, social interactions, and the restricted and repetitive behaviours associated with ASD, explained Rutaba Arif. She noted that the tool can only be used by certified ADOS-2 clinicians.

Previously, the lack of ADOS-2 specialists in KP forced parents to travel to cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore for autism diagnosis, a process that imposed significant physical and financial burdens. Now, with Rutaba and Kashif, they can offer diagnostic services to autism patients locally in Peshawar, bringing much-needed relief to families in the region.

Autism remains an overlooked neurodevelopmental disorder in Pakistan, with limited treatment options available. Experts estimate that there are approximately 500,000 children with autism in Pakistan, with around 150,000 in KP alone. The scarcity of qualified therapists for diagnosis and treatment has further complicated the situation.

In KP, the Centre for Excellence for Special Children with Autism in Peshawar is the only institution providing rehabilitation and treatment, currently serving around 70 children despite a capacity of just 50 due to high demand.