ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Federal Education is planning to start work on the establishment of an autism resource centre at H-8/4 as its PC-I worth Rs1.34 billion has been approved.
Once launched, the project will be completed in two years. It will be a rehabilitation centre for children with developmental disorders.
Under the new project, besides the construction of new buildings, the existing rehabilitation centre will be overhauled. Moreover, eight new buses will be procured to provide free transport to the students.
The PC-I stated that 120 staffers, mainly teachers, will also be hired.
“Yes, PC-I of the autism centre has been approved. We are now planning to start construction of the autism centre,” Director General Special Education Asif Bhatti said while speaking to Dawn. He said the secretary education was paying special focus on special education as well.
He said that the autism centre will havethe capacity to caterto at least 300 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), providing them a safe and enabling learning environment.
According to PC-I, the centre will deliver high-quality, evidence-based educational and therapeutic rehabilitative services, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, behaviour therapy, and sensory integration aimed at holistic development.
“It will offer hands-on, experiential learning opportunities through advanced facilities such as smart classrooms, skill development labs and simulated learning environments, fostering cognitive, academic development,” read the PC-I.
This project is being launched “to provide individualised, specialised support tailored to the unique needs of children with ASD, addressing their personal, behavioural, communication, emotional and academic challenges.”
Its aims also include development of personal, social and occupational skills that empower children with autism to lead independent lives and participate actively in society and the establishment of a dedicated early diagnostic and assessment unit for identification and early intervention of autism, ensuring improved developmental outcomes and access to support at the earliest stage.
“To serve as a national hub of excellence in autism education, rehabilitation and research, promoting collaboration among autism centres across Pakistan and aligning practices with international standards,” it added
According to PC-I, autism spectrum disorder has become an increasingly visible and pressing concern in Pakistan over the last decade. Globally, the WHO (2022) estimated that one in 100 children was diagnosed with autism. However, in low and middle income countries like Pakistan, the true prevalence may be under-reported due to lack of awareness, diagnostic infrastructure and trained professionals.
“A situational analysis conducted by various local NGOs and service providers suggests a significant rise in autism diagnoses in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) over recent years. Informal estimates and center-based data indicate a growing demand for structured and inclusive support services, particularly in urban areas,” read the PC-I.
It stated that autism is a lifelong neuro-developmental condition characterised by a triad of impairments.
“Recognising the urgent need, the directorate general of special education initiated a comprehensive planning and consultative process. A series of meetings were held involving departmental experts, representatives from private autism organisations, educators and rehabilitation professionals. The planning team visited multiple autism centres in Islamabad and Lahore.
Extensive consultations with national and international experts, site visits and in-depth discussions led to a unified recommendation: the establishment of an exclusive, state-of-the-art autism centre of excellence in Islamabad designed in a layout to provide sensory safe transitional spaces suited to the needs of children with ASD,” added the PC-I.
In Pakistan, the absence of centralised data results in delayed diagnosis and exclusion from services. The current special education infrastructure in ICT does not adequately address the specialised needs of children with ASD, said the PC-I.
Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2025
