Tehran, December 25, 2025 – Tens of thousands of children with autism in Iran are unable to access essential treatment and rehabilitation services due to high costs and inadequate insurance coverage, the Iran Autism Association has warned.
Saeedeh Saleh-Ghaffari, CEO of the association, said on Wednesday that about 4,000 children have halted their treatment because families cannot afford the expenses, while an additional 5,000 children are not receiving any rehabilitation services.
“Families with autistic children often must pay all treatment costs themselves, as insurance companies fail to provide full or consistent coverage,” Saleh-Ghaffari said, criticizing the performance of insurance providers.
She detailed that monthly educational and rehabilitation expenses for a child under seven on the moderate spectrum amount to at least 250 million rials (around $185). “These children frequently have dental and medical issues requiring treatment under anesthesia, with costs for each tooth reaching 250 million rials,” she added, noting that the average monthly wage in Iran is only about $115.
Currently, rehabilitation sessions in the private sector cost around 5 million rials ($4) each, with families needing a minimum of 25 sessions per month. Saleh-Ghaffari said insurance companies have failed to cover these expenses properly for the past two years, forcing some families to sell assets, including gold, cars, and even homes.
She called on the government to cover treatment and rehabilitation costs and urged the Supreme Council of Health Insurance to set tariffs. The Social Security Organization and the Health Insurance Organization, both government-affiliated insurers, were specifically highlighted as needing accountability.
Despite growing public awareness of autism, Saleh-Ghaffari noted that families still face serious challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and education. Estimates suggest over 40,000 people with autism are identified in Iran, though the actual number could exceed 130,000, including many undiagnosed cases.
Adult patients, numbering around 2,500, have no designated authority or specialized services, and the availability of trained therapists is extremely limited. Additionally, more than 7,000 people with autism receive care at home, while existing round-the-clock care centers fall far short of demand.
Sina Tavakoli, deputy for education, rehabilitation, and family health at the Iran Autism Association, reiterated earlier this year that high costs continue to prevent many patients from receiving needed treatment.