ZAGREB, April 2, 2019 – The federation of autism associations (SUZAH) on Tuesday organised a release of blue balloons in Zagreb’s main square as well as in a few more Croatian cities to mark the twelfth annual World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2, and on that occasion activists underscored that an estimated 12,000 Croatians suffer from developmental disorders characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication and by restricted and repetitive behaviour.
According to the Croatian Public Health Institute, there are 3,000 autistic persons in Croatia, but the associations insist that their estimates indicate that this number is much higher — about 20,000 people have non-specific disorders related to the disease.
Nowadays one out of 65 new-born babies are affected by medical conditions related to the disease, SUZAH underscores.
The federation warns that Croatia still does not have platforms for systematic care for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, and there is a lack of highly trained staff to treat autism-related medical conditions, SUZAH leader Lidija Penko said at a round table discussion which was held in Zagreb today.
Last week, Health Minister Milan Kujundžić received representatives of the associations to reassure them that his ministry would try to improve healthcare for autistic patients.
Public buildings are going to be illuminated in blue lights this evening on the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day.
More news about autism in Croatia can be found in the Lifestyle section.
