Is there a need for a focused health care service for children with autistic spectrum disorders? A keyhole look at this problem in Tripoli, Libya.

Background: Autism is a global disorder, but relatively little is known about its presentation and occurrence in many developing countries, including Libya.

Aims: To estimate the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders in children referred to Al-Khadra hospital (KH). To increase the awareness among pediatrician and primary health care providers of the importance of considering autism in children presenting with speech and language disorders.