In south Asia, the countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and others have recently been exposed to the awareness, research and documentation on Autism spectrum disorders, that has existed in the developed world for decades. Due to which many children have been misdiagnosed as PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified) or have been kept locked away in homes due to misguided belief in magic (primitive tribal/religious thought) or due to social stigma. While students of special education at public sector universities have done studies concerning existing students with autism at special schools, these studies have been area or city specific, and not country-wide, hence their findings are not standardized, but are estimated to be about 1 in 500. The population of Pakistan is estimated to be 172,800,048 hence the number of people on the spectrum is estimated to be a minimum 3, 45,600 although due to under-reporting, misdiagnosis and social stigma we can say this number is in reality much higher. In Pakistan autism is relatively a new phenomenon so far, as only private institutions work in this area. Seminars and workshops are being conducted on this topic to create awareness among parents, professionals and government authorities. However, there is no institute at the government level, which specifically caters to the services for children with autism. There is a need to create awareness about this disorder at the government level. Prevalence of Autism and general situation is as follows: • Autism Spectrum Disorder: 1:120 kids • No Diagnostic and Rehabilitative means even in the major cities of Pakistan. • No understanding of early detection, sensory issues and home based interventions by child care
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 06:27:34 +0000