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ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENTThe situation of children with autism in Shkodra cityZamira Shabani 1 , Arben Hoxha 2 , Fatmir Vadahi 1 , Kujtim Pelinku 1 ,Rina Gera 11University Luigj Gurakuqi , Shkodër, Albania;2Development Center, Shkodër, Albania.Aim: Autism is a group of developmental braindisorders, collectively called autism spectrumdisorder (ASD). The term spectrum refers to thewide range of symptoms, skills, and levels ofimpairment or disability that children with ASD mayexhibit. We conducted a review of the autism casesin Shkodra city. We aimed to describe thedistribution of this condition according to gender,area of residence, and age-groups of these childrenin two institutions in Shkodra city.Methods: A survey was conducted including allchildren in two institutions that provide services forchildren with autism. More specifically, theinformation was collected from the following twoinstitutions: Development Center of Children andthe Special School in Shkodra city. A descriptivemethod was used and the data was analyzed inMicrosoft Excel 2007.Results: There were 49 cases in total diagnosedwith autism that attend studies in these twoinstitutions (34 of the children attend theDevelopment Center of Children , whereas theremaining 15 children attend the Special School ).This study has evidenced that males are moreaffected than females (79% male and 21% female).The vast majority of the diagnosed cases were fromurban areas of Shkodra (86%).Conclusion: Even though autism is not well-studiedin Albania, our findings indicate that this conditionhas serious implications for the children who areaffected and for their respective families. Socialservices and health care system in Albania should beprepared to tackle autism in terms of earlydiagnosisand provision of appropriate social services andhealth care services for the affected children.Keywords: autism, children, mental health, Shkodra.66 ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT