ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Autism diagnoses are rising sharply across the Kurdistan Region, highlighting a severe shortage of specialized support centers. Recent data shows that Erbil province accounts for over a third of the Region’s reported cases.
At the Darl al-Atta Center for Children with Autism in Erbil, staff like Tariq Rafaat work tirelessly to support children. Rafaat describes their approach: “Mental activities include distinguishing and sorting colors, picture matching, and developing skills to identify various items.” The center employs geometric shapes and other tools to help children learn numbers, letters, and colors.
As autism cases surge in the Kurdistan Region, families face mounting challenges due to a severe shortage of support centers, with only six facilities available to serve all the cities.
Reporting by Asra Adnan pic.twitter.com/caPWcXzpp7
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Despite these efforts, the Kurdistan Region struggles with a significant shortfall in autism support facilities. Aryan Ahmad, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, acknowledges the challenge, saying that they “have autism centers in several cities, including Duhok, Erbil, Sulaimani, Halabja, Ranya, and Hajyawa.” A new center in Akre is also ready, with a 30-member staff to be hired, he added.
However, this expansion is insufficient given the surge in autism cases. In 2023, Erbil province reported 1,300 cases out of the Region’s total of 3,600, and this number is increasing. Experts suggest that excessive use of smartphones and tablets may contribute to the rise in cases. Aya Shawkat, an autism support teacher, says, “Smartphones and tablets significantly affect children, including those with autism as well as typically developing ones.”
As autism cases climb, the Kurdistan Region faces an urgent need to address the gap between rising demand and the availability of support services.
Reporting by Asra Adnan
