Although the numbers of parents who now forego superstitions and instead go to doctors and institutions to avail treatment and guidance to bring up their autistic children have risen, the number of facilities from where to avail such guidance and help has not increased in the port city.

Official figures state that there are 12,083 autistic children in Chittagong but only a few private organisations -- mostly run by parents -- in the city offer specialised help.

Dr Dhananjoy Das, assistant professor of Institute of Autism and Child Development in Chittagong, told The Daily Star that his institute has diagnosed around one thousand children with some form of autism between 2005 and 2017.

The doctor, however, lamented that lack of government facilities in providing help for autistic children is hampering their care.

Dr Basona Muhuri, who runs an organisation for autistic child named “Nishpap” (innocent), told The Daily Star that there are 14 private organisations in the port city which provides services for children with autism.

Parents' awareness in this matter has increased but there are not sufficient institutions or centres in the city where they can avail the help, she said.

“People who have autistic children usually come forward and form organisations by themselves to take care of their children. The government has to step up more dedicated centres in this regard,” she added.

Shahe Newaj, assistant director of Chittagong district social service office, told The Daily Star that according to statistics there are 12,083 autistic children in Chittagong and 44,440 across the country.

Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, director of Chittagong district service office, however, claimed that there are sufficient arrangements for care for autistic children in the port city.

“The Centre for Intellectually Impaired Children has been set up, and there are two specialised schools for autistic children -- one for port city and the other for the district,” she added.

In addition, there is a mobile team which provides door to door therapy service for the same, she said.