Autism therapy services expanded

Amid provincial legislation aimed at providing free education and therapy services to children with autism, especially those from economically challenged backgrounds, a centre at the Red Crescent Hospital has been made fully operational for the purpose.

The development follows the inauguration of the country's first public sector autism school in Lahore by the chief minister. The centre established in Faisalabad last year is now expanding its range of services.

The hospital's Medical Superintendent Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Randhawa said the centre is offering support, resources, and therapy to individuals with autism.

He highlighted the lack of attention given to this segment of society in the past and commended the efforts made by the district administration to not only strengthen the centre but also to replicate similar facilities in other districts of the division.

Dr Randhawa referred to estimates from the Pakistan Autism Society (PAS) than 350,000 children in the country are affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

He said the Children Development Centre is dedicated to supporting children with various neurodevelopmental conditions such as ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), intellectual disability (ID), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy (CP), and developmental delays.

According to Dr Randhawa, the centre provides therapy sessions in a supportive setting, focusing on behavioural improvements and skill development to promote independence among children. He said the team includes professionals trained in therapy and counselling, who design therapy plans tailored to each child's condition.

He revealed that the centre has registered more than 200 children, with the number increasing steadily. He stated that more than 100 children have shown significant progress and now only attend follow-up sessions instead of daily therapy. He emphasised that the outcomes suggest that the therapy is yielding measurable improvements in communication, social behaviour, physical coordination, and other daily living skills. Families, he added, report a growing sense of hope as they witness their children's ongoing progress.

Deputy Commissioner Nadeen Nasir said during a visit to the facility that the aim behind establishing the autism centre is to support children with developmental disorders so they may reach their full potential. He added that the administration plans to expand the scope of services, introduce more therapy options, and extend outreach to more children in the region.

The district administration is also preparing awareness campaigns and training programmes for parents, educators, and caregivers to create a more inclusive environment. An interactive session with parents was held on the occasion.

A mother, Farzana Ahmad, said her son was born five years ago and showed signs of disorders that confused the family. After learning about the centre from a neighbour, she brought her son for registration.