The writer is a former federal secretary.
AUTISM Spectrum Disorder comprises a range of psycho-social, behavioural and emotional difficulties in children and adults that can affect their day-to-day functioning, educational goals, employment opportunities and independent living options. Early identification of the disorder is important so that appropriate interventions including speech therapy, behaviour management and social skills trainings can be quickly initiated for improved prognosis. In the last 15 years, medical professionals have become more aware about autism in Pakistan and there are huge numbers of children now being diagnosed with ASD all over the country.
Autism has so far been viewed mostly as a boys’ disorder The Centre for Disease Control in the Washington states on its website that autism is four times more common in boys than in girls. However, recent studies are evolving another point of view supported by famous autistic women, such as Temple Grandin, Susan Boyle, Donna Williams, Valerie Paradiz and others, that the number of girls with autism may be more than this ratio of 4:1.