PESHAWAR: Experts at a seminar voiced concern over a lack of facilities at the healthcare centres for children afflicted with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neuro-developmental condition occurring in early childhood with lifelong effects, including difficulties in social interaction and communication.

“It is neither a disease nor is it caused by bad parenting. Children with autism may speak late or don’t speak at all, and they avoid eye contact or prefer to stay alone,” Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pediatric Association (PPA) president Dr Syed Bawar Shah told a seminar here the other day.

He urged the government to provide better health facilities for children with ASD.

The Third International Seminar on Autism and Developmental Disorders was jointly organised by PPA and Franklin Autism Diagnostic and Research Centre at the Khyber Girls Medical College.

Dr Shah said the children with autism repeated the same actions or words and were very sensitive to sounds, lights or touch.

Psychiatrists said that autism started early in life and lasted lifelong, but early identification and therapy could greatly improve a child’s abilities and quality of life.

Prof Mohammad Aqeel Khan head of pediatric department KGMC said that children with autism have different strengths and challenges, and with proper support many can learn work and live meaningful, independent lives.

This is very common, almost 1 in 100 children globally, he said. According to him, the main causes of autism were genetic factors as it often runs in families. The brain develops differently before birth and in early life, he said.

Infections, certain medicines, or complications during pregnancy may increase risk while premature birth or low birth weight could be among causes of autism.

He also provided an overview of autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other neurodevelopmental disorders, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and structured interventions

He said that excessive screen exposure in early childhood wasn’t a direct cause, but heavy screen time, especially before 2-3 years wasn’t not recommended.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2026