Lack of autism data complicates policymaking, conference told

Islamabad: The absence of reliable data on children with autism in Pakistan is creating major difficulties for government policymaking, speakers said at a conference held on World Autism Awareness Day 2026.

The event, titled Breaking Barriers: Inclusive Education for Students with Autism, was organised by Creative Kinder House. Participants said the education sector must take a central role in building awareness, encouraging acceptance and advancing inclusion for students on the autism spectrum.

Speakers said the shortage of credible data on children affected by autism has become a serious obstacle in policy formulation. They also pointed to a rapid rise in autism cases and said the country is facing a substantial shortage of trained and qualified professionals needed for the care, education and development of autistic children.

According to the discussion at the conference, the lack of formal degree programmes in applied behaviour therapy and related disciplines has worsened the problem. Speakers said these fields are important for supporting autistic children, but the absence of academic pathways has limited the availability of specialists.

Need for data and trained professionals

Addressing the event, Creative Kinder House founder Sabine Bilal said the institution works with children who have unique abilities. She said their progress shows that, with the right guidance and environment, such children can secure a meaningful place in society.

Bilal also expressed concern over the lack of a formal database on neurodivergent individuals in Pakistan. She said this makes it difficult to determine their numbers, understand the severity of their conditions and identify effective interventions.

Director Operations Raza Zainab said autism is frequently misunderstood. She explained that the autism spectrum is wide, with some individuals experiencing mild symptoms that may go unnoticed, while more severe cases tend to draw greater public attention.

Speakers at the conference said autism had not received sufficient attention in the past. However, they noted that a number of organisations are now working to improve awareness, shift social attitudes and create better opportunities for autistic individuals.

Role of inclusive education

Participants stressed that inclusive steps for autism should be promoted through the education sector. They said schools and educational institutions have an important role in helping society move towards greater acceptance and inclusion.

Creative Kinder House said it has been working in this area since 2017. According to information shared at the conference, the organisation has a team of more than 70 trained professionals and is providing educational programmes and therapies to over 200 children.

The conference concluded with what participants described as a renewed commitment to strengthen collective efforts aimed at integrating individuals with autism into society as active and dignified members.