A therapist at the Technical Institute of Kufa works with a child during a practical training session in the newly opened autism clinic. The facility provides real-world experience for students and therapeutic support for families, as part of Iraq’s first academic program focused on autism spectrum disorders. Photo by 964media
Najaf
First academic department focused on autism care opens at Technical Institute Kufa
NAJAF — Iraq’s first academic department dedicated to autism spectrum disorders has opened at the Technical Institute Kufa, part of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, aiming to address a growing need for specialized care and trained professionals in the field.
The newly established Department of Autism Spectrum Techniques offers a two-year academic program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience.
“It is one of the first departments in Iraq that graduates qualified professionals to train and treat children with autism,” said Noor Ismail, head of the department, in an interview with 964media.
Students are admitted through Iraq’s centralized admissions system and receive training in psychiatric nursing, psychology, behavioral therapy, and autism-specific techniques. The department offers both morning and evening classes and currently enrolls more than 220 students — 14 in the morning and 199 in the evening.
“Graduates are centrally assigned to hospitals or work in public and private autism-focused centers,” Ismail said. “We combine lectures, practical training, and field visits, so students learn how to deal with each child individually. Every case is different.”
Though the program launched quietly, demand has surged. “There’s a clear need in society for professionals who are specifically trained in autism care,” she added. “In Iraq, most specialists come from psychology or psychiatric nursing backgrounds and pursue graduate-level training. Our program produces competent mid-level practitioners in just two years.”
The department’s faculty includes instructors with master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology, psychiatric nursing, behavioral therapy, and autism studies. Plans are underway to recruit additional experts from neighboring countries such as Iran and Lebanon.
To support training, the institute has also launched an on-campus clinic that offers free therapy services for children with autism and their families, while giving students practical experience in assessment and individualized treatment planning.
“Students are trained in diagnostic techniques and how to design individualized treatment plans,” Ismail said.
Sarah Hussein, an early detection specialist, said autism cases in Iraq have increased in recent years, often due to low awareness of early childhood development.
“The university established the first free treatment center to diagnose autism in children using accurate tools,” she told 964media. “Experience has shown that 80 to 85 percent of cases are linked to environmental factors — especially early screen exposure, which harms brain development.”
She stressed that the early years of life are critical for cognitive growth and that environmental disruptions can hinder this process. “Autism spectrum levels vary — mild, moderate, and severe — based on the DSM-5 classification,” she said.
Parents say the program fills a critical gap in care but call for more government support.
Ali Salman, the father of a child with autism, said his family turned to the institute for guidance after struggling to find qualified specialists.
“The doctors and specialists received us and gave us guidance on diet, treatment, and behavior,” he said. “We’ve struggled with disorganized services in private centers and high costs with no clear results.”
He added, “Najaf lacks autism specialists, and families are forced to travel to other governorates or turn to non-specialist doctors. We ask the government to support public centers and provide qualified staff to ensure proper care for these children.”
