ISLAMABAD:
The Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) will establish an autism centre in the city. In a meeting held on Wednesday, CADD Minister of State Barrister Usman Ibrahim directed officials to make a committee comprising the joint secretary health, director National Institute of Rehabilitation and Medicine (NIRM) and Dr Rafat Hafeez.
The committee would prepare the initial proposal in which the cost and budgeting would be finalised along with the requirement of infrastructure for the centre, and would submit it to the minister of state by Nov 10.
Autism Spectrum Disorders, commonly known as ASD, is one of the rarest syndromes in which a child with high intellect and a normal IQ level is unable to lead an independent life. According to a press release from ministry, there are around 400-500 children including classic ASD patients to minor ASD patients in Islamabad, which needs to be taken care of, stated the minister.
He further said these children have as much right to spend a normal and healthy life as any other child. Such children are different from mentally-challenged children because of their high intellect.
“Many projects to cater to autistic patients get shelved because they are very ambitious, therefore we would initiate this project as a pilot project initially to gauge its success rate,” emphasised the minister in the press release.
“We will try to make the process hurdle free, as it will be a joint venture of CADD, NIRM and Baitul Maal.”
Moreover, Ibrahim said initially they would arrange space, equipment, and medical staff for the centre on their own and at a later stage, international donor agencies would be involved after monitoring the success rate of the project.
Senior officials of CADD and NIRM, among others, attended the meeting.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2014.
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"Autism Spectrum Disorders, commonly known as ASD, is one of the rarest syndromes in which a child with high intellect and a normal IQ level is unable to lead an independent life." Please do your research before you publish a highly untrue statement. I have met and worked with many autistic students and colleagues, and they have talents undreamt of, including living an independent life, but also advocating and leading/heading major departments of this country, yes Pakistan. Dawn admin, please rectify this error.