State-Of-The-Art Autism Centre Opened In Faisalabad

News Desk

Faisalabad: A state-of-the-art autism centre has been established at the Divisional Public School and College main campus, and at least 17 autistic children have so far been enrolled.

Divisional Commissioner Silwat Saeed, during her visit to the centre on Tuesday, told that the autism centre will be housed in three classrooms that feature wall paintings. Separate washrooms for children and highly qualified psychologists have been appointed, she added.

Silwat further stated that the goal of establishing autism centre is to bring autistic children on par with normal pupils by providing them with special training.

Divisional Commissioner directed maintaining a pleasant and clean environment for children at the centre.

Furthermore, Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Nayyer Sheikh has directed initiating measures for establishing a second autism centre at the Hilal-e-Ahmar Maternity Hospital.

Sheikh sought a plan detailing various facilities, including the availability of a therapist and other resources needed for setting up the centre.

During his visit to the hospital, Nayyer Sheikh visited various sections of the hospital on Tuesday and took a briefing about its overall performance. DC Abdullah also inquired about the care of children in ICU wards.

The hospital, comprising 300 beds, is being run by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, informed Medical Superintendent Dr Hafiz Mukhtar Randhawa.

Canada-based Autism Expert Saima Akram informed that the statistics from South Asia estimate that there may be 350,000 children with autism in Pakistan. Unfortunately most of these children remain undiagnosed due to the lack of awareness and expertise in diagnosis.

The parents often suffer silently and perhaps more unfortunate are the affected children who have to bear the brunt of the disorder and being mishandled. Agencies/APP