Experts Advise Societal Understanding of Autism

News Desk

Islamabad: Increasing parents’ awareness and tolerance in society is imperative to address autism, as early-age behavioural therapy programmes could help children with this condition live a normal life.

Neurologist and psychiatrist Jawahar Shahid Anwar said that many autistic individuals remain undiagnosed, especially in rural areas, where surveillance is rarely done for any neuro-developmental disorder.

“Families often have limited access to evaluations and other resources to assess and respond to autism or other neuro-developmental conditions,” she added.

According to Dr Anwar, lack of knowledge regarding autism, the social and cultural stigma associated with neuro-developmental disorders, and financial constraints prevent many families from seeking evaluation or treatment.

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Psychiatrist Jawahar added that parents should avoid including sugary foods in their autistic child’s diet while also emphasising the importance of behavioural therapy and support for autistic kids in helping them develop new behaviours and skills.

The neurologist further said that the diagnosis and treatment of autism in Pakistan take place in a variety of venues and are given by a range of medical specialists. She expressed disappointment that Pakistani medical experts are still not well-informed on autism and said that society must first educate itself.

Autism is a complex group of neuro-developmental disorders, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with autism face discrimination that comes from a lack of understanding about the condition, Jawahar Shahid stated.

Most parents think that their autistic child is simply “a bit slow”, Therefore, more child screening and assessment centres are needed to make early diagnoses of developmental impairments such as autism, she demanded.