ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Families and advocates for people with spectrum autism want better treatment options for people with the disorder.
Khalida Qadir is the mother of an 18-year-old boy who has autism.
"It is extremely difficult for those who have children suffering autism. Not just the child, but the whole family suffers," she told Rudaw on Tuesday.
April 2 has been designated World Autism Awareness Day since 2007.
According to the head of the Kurdistan Autism Group, mechanisms for dealing with the disorder in Kurdistan don’t meet international standards.
"Since there were not advanced centers and awareness, the level of autism increased and those diagnosed with it saw their situation worsening," explained Kamal Jabari, the head of the Kurdistan Autism Society.
There are 2,800 cases in the Kurdistan Region, according to the society, and just 15 receive treatment at centers.
The Emirates Autism Center [CMRC], in collaboration with the Red Crescent Society of the United Arab Emirates and Barzani Charity Foundation, was established in the Kurdistan Region in 2017.
There are 18 rooms designed for activities for those affected by the disorder. They can provide services to 70 patients.
"Requirements needed for a child diagnosed with autism at their activities' place include playing spaces, dark rooms, dining rooms, and technical training for autism," said Karzan Wali, an official from BCF.
Their target is to increase the number to 200 and declare the services free of charge.
Land has been allocated by the Kurdistan Regional Government for the projects.
Currently, there are 20 autism-designed centers in the Kurdistan Region, 17 of which are private.
According to the National Autistic Society (NAS) in the UK, 1 percent of world population has autism.
Reporting by Hadi Salimi