World Autism Awarenesss Day today: BD sees autism rise amid data shortfall
Autism is becoming increasingly common worldwide, and Bangladesh is witnessing a significant rise in cases over the past two decades. Public health experts stress that the absence of comprehensive national data on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder remains a major barrier to effective intervention.
However, experts also warn that low awareness, social stigma, and limited healthcare resources continue to leave many children with Autism Spectrum Disorder without proper diagnosis and care.
While talking to The New Nation, Prof Muzaherul Huq, former advisor for South-East Asia at the World Health Organization, emphasised the need for a nationwide statistical survey covering children and adults across regions, age groups, and gender.
“This data would enable the government to design targeted programmes based on the specific needs of autistic individuals in each area and upazila,” he said. He recommended establishing autism centres in every upazila, along with residential facilities where children can stay with their parents.
He further added that such centres must ensure the recruitment of trained professionals, including doctors, nurses, and support staff.
“Children with autism require specialised attention and a compassionate approach, and professionals must be properly trained to meet the needs of those individuals,” he added.
Huq also noted that if certain areas show higher autism rates, the government should investigate the underlying causes behind such patterns.
Specialists attribute the country’s challenges to widespread misconceptions, lack of awareness, and inadequate diagnostic facilities, particularly in rural areas. One of the most pressing issues is delayed diagnosis, with many children identified only after reaching school age, missing crucial early intervention opportunities that could significantly improve developmental outcomes.
A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) highlights the depth of the problem in rural communities. It found that more than 50 percent of participants relied on traditional healers and believed autism and other mental conditions were caused by supernatural forces rather than medical causes.
For lower and lower-middle-income families, autism often becomes a heavy financial and emotional burden. The cost of long-term therapy, specialised education, and medical care remains beyond the reach of many.
Reba, a homemaker and mother of two, shared her experience raising her autistic daughter Raisa. “When my daughter was born, she seemed normal like other newborns. But gradually, we noticed symptoms.
She could not move properly and had no speech development. Even after more than six years of treatment, there has been little improvement. Facing society is a daily challenge for us,” she said.
In another case, a domestic worker described her struggle to support her autistic daughter Koli. “I am uneducated and poor, so treatment is nearly impossible,” she said. “My daughter could not speak and only started walking at around three years old. We tried traditional rural treatment, but it did not help.”
The hardship is even more severe for those living in extreme poverty. A mother, forced to beg door-to-door with her autistic son, said survival itself is a daily struggle. “I don’t get any job as people do not like the presence of an autistic child, and I cannot leave my son alone,” she said. “I can’t even manage to arrange two meals a day properly; affording treatment for my autistic son is far beyond my means.”
Experts say that disparities in awareness remain evident, with some rural areas showing gradual improvement while others still lack a basic understanding of autism care. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure equitable access to services across the country.
World health experts believe observing World Autism Awareness Day plays a vital role in tackling these challenges by promoting awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and advocating for inclusive policies in education, workplaces, and public spaces.
As Bangladesh continues to face rising autism cases, experts call for coordinated efforts from the government, healthcare sector, and society to build a more inclusive environment where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to thrive.
