AZE.US
The number of children registered with autism in Azerbaijan has more than doubled over the past five years.
According to figures reported by AZE.US, 1,624 children were registered with childhood autism in 2021.
The number rose to
2,378 in 2022,
3,029 in 2023,
3,112 in 2024,
3,533 in 2025.
Overall, the figure increased by more than 2.1 times between 2021 and 2025.
In 2021, the registered cases included 1,284 boys and 340 girls. By 2025, the number had risen to 2,765 boys and 768 girls.
Specialists say signs of autism spectrum disorder can emerge at different ages. In some children, developmental differences become noticeable between 12 and 18 months, while in others they may appear after the age of three or once the child begins attending kindergarten.
Parents sometimes attribute delayed speech, communication difficulties or unusual behavior to age and assume the child will eventually grow out of it. Experts stress, however, that autism affects every child differently. Some children may adapt relatively well to social settings, while others require long-term professional and social support.
Autism may also be diagnosed later in girls because they can be more successful at copying social behavior and masking communication difficulties.
The condition cannot currently be detected during pregnancy or immediately after birth. Ultrasound examinations and non-invasive prenatal tests cannot determine whether an unborn child will have autism spectrum disorder.
Experts also urge parents to limit the amount of time young children spend using smartphones, tablets or watching television. Excessive screen time is not considered a proven cause of autism, but a lack of direct human interaction can negatively affect speech development and social skills.
Parents are advised to consult a pediatrician or child psychiatrist when early warning signs emerge. Early assessment can help children receive appropriate developmental, behavioral and social support sooner.
AZE.US