Leading medical specialists have issued a stark warning that a precious window for effective intervention is being lost for children with autism spectrum disorder in Pakistan due to delayed identification and a pervasive silence surrounding the condition, leaving families to navigate the journey without adequate guidance.
According to AKU information today, at a media roundtable hosted by the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to mark World Autism Awareness Day, a panel of experts highlighted that while therapies are important, they are insufficient on their own to address the multifaceted needs of affected children and their families.
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately one in every 127 children globally is diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder. While comprehensive national surveillance data for Pakistan is limited, clinical services, particularly in urban centres, are identifying an increasing number of cases.
An ongoing AKUH study, which screened 5,445 children, revealed a concentration of cases in middle-income settings, suggesting significant gaps in awareness and access to services across different socio-economic groups.
“The biggest challenge we face is not just late diagnosis. It is the silence around it,” stated Professor Shahnaz Ibrahim, Section Head of Paediatric Neurology at Aga Khan University Hospital. “Families come to us not knowing what autism spectrum disorder is, not knowing what support exists, and in many cases having been told to wait and see. That window of time is precious, and we cannot afford to lose it.”
Panellists worked to dispel persistent misconceptions, emphasising that autism is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting brain development related to communication and social interaction, not a disease. They clarified it is not caused by vaccines, poor parenting, screen time alone, or spiritual factors, noting that its signs can appear in the first year of life.
The discussion promoted a comprehensive, community-wide support system extending beyond clinical settings. Drawing upon the “F-words of Child Development” framework, experts stressed that meaningful assistance must holistically address a child”s Function, Fitness, Family, Friends, Fun, and Future, positioning therapy as just one component of a larger support structure.
Inclusive education, peer connections, family wellbeing, and community participation were cited as equally essential elements for a child”s development.
“We want parents to know that early action changes outcomes,” said Dr Sidra Kaleem, Associate Professor at the Section of Paediatric Neurology. “Supporting a child with autism spectrum disorder is not the responsibility of the clinic alone. It requires the family, the school, and the community to work together. That is the only approach that truly works.”
The experts concluded with a call for policymakers, healthcare providers, and schools to prioritise routine developmental screening, expand access to trained specialists beyond major cities, and foster environments where families feel safe to seek help without fear of stigma or judgement.