Autism in Afghanistan – AGE OF AUTISM
I spent a good part of yesterday yesterday listening to reports from the three major cable news networks about the crisis in Afghanistan. I am worried about the women and girls. I am particularly concerned about the boys and girls with autism and their mothers and fathers. I did a google search on autism and Afghanistan and found very little:
There are no known studies looking at the prevalence of autism in Afghanistan and organizations like Autism Speaks do not operate in the country.
And the:
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-6435-8_102534-1
The people of Afghanistan continue to suffer from the consequences of decades of invasion and civil war. While some efforts have been made to support the physically challenged population of Afghanistan, there is less support for people with intellectual and mental disabilities; In particular, there is no support for children and adults with autism. This entry begins with an introduction to the history of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the various legislative and policy efforts in Afghanistan to support common disabilities. In addition, the lack of support for people with autism in Afghanistan in researching and treating the disease is addressed. This is measured by the lack of national recognition and awareness of autism, screening and diagnosis as well as the treatment of people with autism. In addition to acknowledging the grave shortage of mental health resources in general, this entry also looks at the various cultural and social perception issues …
I try to remember that we are so lucky here in the United States and our readers all over the western world. Despite the great controversy and problems we face. I look to my own daughters, loved, helped, treated, healthy, welcomed by the majority of society, valued ….. a universe that is different from what girls, typically or otherwise, experience in Afghanistan. What can we do?
… There are no known studies looking at the prevalence of autism in Afghanistan and organizations like Autism Speaks do not operate in the country….