Despite a growing number of people with autism in the Maldives, essential services and specialised professionals remain scarce.

As the world marked Autism Awareness Day on April 2, experts stressed the urgent need to increase resources and raise awareness, particularly among schoolchildren, about career opportunities in this field.

According to the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA), over 1,200 individuals in the Maldives are registered as having autism and other related disorders. However, services remain inadequate, and efforts to improve them must extend from policymaking to public perception.

Speaking at a panel discussion on autism awareness hosted by state media, Director General of Health Services Dr Ahmed Ashraf highlighted the severe shortage of resources for children with autism. He noted that there are no Maldivian specialists in this field within island communities, making it crucial to inform young people about career prospects in autism services.

Ashraf said the biggest challenge for the health sector is ensuring autism-related services are accessible across all islands. He stressed the need to create a system that provides support to every child while encouraging young people to pursue careers in this field.

Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Maumoon Shareef added that improving autism treatment in the atolls requires better education for healthcare providers and parents. He underscored the importance of teaching caregivers simple therapy techniques to assist children at home, noting that most time is spent at home rather than with a therapist. He said that training parents, teachers, and health workers in speech therapy techniques would allow them to better support children.

World Autism Awareness Day is observed globally on April 2, with this year's theme, "Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals," focusing on inclusivity and progress in autism care.