Autism cases in RP on the rise

MANILA, Philippines - The number of people with autism in the Philippines and other countries is on the rise, according to experts.

Dr. Alexis Reyes, Philippine Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics president, said there are no accurate statistics on autism in the Philippines but an upward trend has been observed across the globe.

It is “imperative” to have a program to ensure a productive life for them despite their condition, she added.

Speaking at the launching of the first-ever International Autism Conference in Asia, Reyes said experts do not know why the number of people with autism is increasing.

“There is no single cause so there is no single cure,” she said.

Reyes said if the prevalence rate in the United States will be the basis, there are some 0.5 million Filipinos with the neuro-behavioral disorder.

Of this figure, only two percent of them are given appropriate care, she added.

Reyes said the ratio of autism in the US rose to 1:91 in 2009 from 1:150 a few years ago.

In 1960s-1980s the prevalence rate of autism in the US was 0.4 to 0.5/1,000 population but it increased to 0.71 to 1.1 /1,000 in 1990 and 4 to 6/1,1000, she added.

Reyes said autism is “likely the result of a variety of factors,” including genetic, infectious, neurologic, metabolism, immunological and environmental.

“Autism is not physical, it’s neuro-behavioral,” she said. 

“That what makes it very challenging for us… They look normal but they have social deficit, language problem, restricted interest and repetitive manners.”

While autism is incurable, those who have it could still be productive if they would only be given adequate management and education, she added.

Reyes said the initial cost of diagnosis for autism amounts to some P7,000.

For follow ups in medical and educational, some P116,000 is required for the first year alone, she added. 

In the Philippines, there are only a few schools for children who have “special needs” and they are very expensive.

And if there are public schools that offer special education, they mostly “fell short of expectation.”

Hosted by Autism Hearts Philippines, the International Autism Conference in Asia will be held at the Philippine International Convention Center from Feb. 3 to 5, 2010.– Sheila Crisostomo