A video circulating on social media, showing a woman claiming that the management of Karachi’s Dolmen Mall prevented her special-needs child from entering the play area, has gone viral. 

 

According to the mother, her 9-year-old son has autism, but the play area enforces an age restriction for children above five years.

 

"The staff not only treated me poorly but also refused to refund the ticket," the woman said in the video, adding, "I cannot leave my son alone in the bigger play area to avoid disturbing other children," yet the management declined to cooperate.

 

 

Expressing her frustration, she said, "My child is not going there to create chaos."

 

She emphasized the need for authorities to take notice, pointing out that "there are neither public parks suitable for special-needs children nor inclusive facilities in malls."

 

"If we cannot take our children there, where else can we go?" she asked.

 

Social media users were outraged. One user wrote, “Ya Allah, may this child be granted complete healing.” Another commented, “Heartbreaking, very unfortunate.” Others added, “It breaks my heart to see this. I am sorry, ma’am, you had to go through this,” and “This is just so sad. That is so unfair.”

 

Actress Javeria Saud also reacted to the incident. She wrote, "I often wonder when our society's education and awareness will finally evolve to a point where we can truly understand the realities faced by autistic children and the silent battles their parents fight every day." 

 

 

"Its heartbreaking that so many people still fail to see their struggles, their strength, and their constant need for compassion and support," she added.

 

Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. The severity varies from individual to individual, with some experiencing mild challenges and others facing significant difficulties.

 

According to the World Health Organization, roughly one in every 127 people worldwide has autism. Studies show that ASD is diagnosed more frequently in boys than in girls, although exact numbers vary by region and awareness.