Tehran – So far, six centres have been launched in the country to provide care to people with autism, and 10 more will be established by the current Iranian end of the year in March 2026, according to the head of welfare organizations.
Javad Hosseini emphasized that welfare organizations have established participatory secretariats to empower children and families with autism and develop relevant guidelines, the centers targeted individuals over the age of 14, the IRNA reported.
The center addresses an increase in behavioral challenges for individuals with autism at this age and relieves family stress. He added that families can unload their children during the day and pick them up at night.
Timely interventions in children with autism are extremely important. Currently, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has increased from 8 in 10,000 children in 1994 to 1 in 100 in 2023.
Research conducted shows that in developed countries such as the United States, diagnosis and interventions in children with autism are made at age 2-2.5, while in Iran these interventions begin primarily at age 5 or 6, Hosseini noted.
“Autism disorder occurs during the fetal period. Symptoms appear by age 3. Therefore, the best time for intervention is at age 2. Research shows that if there is no timely intervention by age 7, autistic individuals face many challenges in their life.
“We have strengthened screenings, early diagnosis and referrals to specialized centres to improve the situation, and have also entered into a memorandum of understanding to develop screenings for various ages and a timely intervention system in negotiations with the Ministry of Health and Special Needs Educational Institutions.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASDS) is a diverse group of conditions. They are characterized by some difficulty with social interaction and communication. Other characteristics are atypical patterns of activity and behavior, including the difficulty of transitioning from one activity to another, focus on details, and abnormal responses to sensations.
People with autism have a variety of abilities and needs and can evolve over time. Some people have autism and others can live independently, while others have severe disabilities and require lifelong care and support. Autism often affects education and employment opportunities.
Additionally, the demands for families providing care and support can be important. Social attitudes and the level of support provided by local and national authorities are key factors that determine the quality of life of people with autism.
According to the Iranian Autism Association (IAA), it is not a favorable option to include individuals with autism. That’s the right thing to do. They learn differently and should not be rejected for children. Adults should not struggle with employment as they experience the world in a unique way.
Approximately one in every 150 children in Iran is born with autism, the IRNA reported. The IAA has registered 6,262 individuals with autism so far.
Welfare organizations plan to raise public awareness, develop culture and create an environment for people with autism by hosting workshops, seminars and educational programs. The organization also aims to establish a centre to provide rehabilitation services to adults with autism.
World Autism Awareness Day is celebrated annually on April 2nd to raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to promote inclusion and support for individuals with autism.
The 2025 Autism Awareness Day was organized by the Institute of Neurology (ION), with the support of the United Nations Agency for Global Communication. Aeon is a global LED membership organization surrounded by neurominorities headquartered in Switzerland, and is located in 40 countries around the world. As the largest and most globally represented neurotic initiative in the world, Aeon works to empower neurotumors, defend equal opportunities, and promote acceptance and education.
This year’s theme, “Neurodiversity and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS),” highlights the intersection of neurodiversity and global sustainability initiatives, demonstrating that it can promote positive change in autistic individuals around the world and contribute to achieving the SDGS.
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