Ground realities of autism spectrum disorders in Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disabilities that impact children and adults globally. The majority of children diagnosed with ASD live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is, however, inadequate understanding of the prevalence, screening, diagnosis and treatment for these children in LMICs. As most of the current evidence comes from high-income countries, this narrative review will focus specifically on children with ASD living in Sri Lanka, a lower-middle-income country. It will discuss the prevalence of ASD, current screening and diagnostic assessments, and services available for these children, with a focus on speech therapy and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). KEYWORDS: Autism spectrum disorders, low- and middle-income countries, augmentative and alternative communication, Avaz Sri Lanka