About Autism

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviours and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees.Autism Society of Pakistan has successfully set up the Autism Resource Centre in Rawalpindi, which has recently completed five fruitful years. ASP aims to replicate such centres all over Pakistan, and hopefully establish a National Autism Centre. ARC Lahore is the second of such centres. A dedicated group of people (primarily affected parents) in Pakistan and abroad have formed a focus group to take this public initiative forward.

There is no known single cause for autism but genetics, environment and biological traits are generally referred as key culprits. Still research and a cure are far ahead in the horizon. Until there is a cure, timely intervention through tested techniques is the only proven way to help these children cope with this debilitating ailment.

There is no known single cause for autism but genetics, environment and biological traits are generally referred as key culprits. Still research and a cure are far ahead in the horizon. Until there is a cure, timely intervention through tested techniques is the only proven way to help these children cope with this debilitating ailment.

Since the mid 1990s, the number of affected children has increased dramatically. In most of the world, the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased from 1 in 1000 in 1980s to 1 in 150. Although diagnostic facilities, resources and records are not readily available in Pakistan, the odds of a child afflicted with ASD are not too different from the rest of the world.

Since the mid 1990s, the number of affected children has increased dramatically. In most of the world, the number of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased from 1 in 1000 in 1980s to 1 in 150. Although diagnostic facilities, resources and records are not readily available in Pakistan, the odds of a child afflicted with ASD are not too different from the rest of the world.

There are no medical or genetic tests that can detect autism.
A diagnosis of Autism requires a sensitive and experienced doctor to observe the child very carefully, ask the parents about the development of the child and then objectively follow internationally recognized criteria for diagnosis.
There is no single behavioural or communication test that can detect Autism, several screening instruments have been developed that are now being used in diagnosing Autism.

• • ADOSAutism Diagnostic Observation Scale evaluates the patient’s socialization skills
• • Form E-2Autism Diagnostic Checklist
• • ADI-RAutism Diagnostic Interview – Revised
• • CARSRating system Childhood Autism Rating Scale
• • CHATThe Checklist for Autism in Toddlers
• • DSM-IVDiagnostic Statistical Manual – IV