Qatar has an increased level of awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and over the last few years there has been a significant change in society’s attitudes towards accepting them into the community fold, say experts.
Although there is still room for further enhancement in the services currently available for children and youth with ASD in Qatar, the level of awareness in the community is commendable, Dr Fatima Janjua (pictured), Division Chief of the Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) told The Peninsula.
As a professional who recently arrived in Qatar she said, “I was very surprised when I came to Qatar, because I was given the impression that there was a lot of stigma surrounding ASD. However, it was nothing to the extreme that I was made to believe. That is a very positive sign. I have rarely met a parent who does not accept their child’s Autism diagnosis.While they may take a little time to process it, they eventually do accept and want what’s best for their child including early intervention.”
“We have seen a good number of parents of young children, who come to the clinic and already know that their child might have Autism. They come to us for validation and might not let on in the beginning of the assessment that they suspect it too. However, once we tell them about the child’s condition, they say yes we thought so. I think there is a lot of information out there about ASD and people are well aware of it,” she added.
World Autism Awareness Day is marked on April 2 and encourages Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about children with autism throughout the world. It was proposed by to the UN by HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser and adopted on December 18, 2007.
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder, predominantly genetic in nature. Children with ASD manifest a range of symptoms associated with difficulties in language and communication, social interaction and rigid, repetitive behaviors.
“The prevalence of autism in our neuro-developmental clinics is similar to other parts of the world, with about one third of all children who attend presenting signs of autism spectrum disorder. Children may be assessed and diagnosed from 15 to 18 months onwards. Regarding age of referral, the first age peak is between two and four years of age, then ages six to nine. The second peak includes children who have milder forms of autism – that is while they can learn and progress academically, they struggle with other challenges such as social communication, peer interaction and non-compliance within the classroom,” said Dr Janjua.
From more easily accessible clinical services, support groups, behavioral therapies to school-based programs – there is a growing network of support services now available for families in Qatar. Several clinical services are provided by Sidra.
“In Qatar as well as in the region, over the years the way families are looking at ASD or the families who have a child with the disorder has changed. They are more accepting of the condition and they are becoming more open about it. One reason behind this change is that they see the need for intervention and are seeking services rather than shying away and hiding individuals with this condition,” said Dr Nahed Alateeqi, Senior Attending Physician, Division of Developmental Pediatrics at Sidra.
Dr Alateeqi who has earlier experience of working in Kuwait said, “Families from an Arab or GCC background are becoming more aware of the importance of social integration and actually speaking out and advocating for the individual with ASD. Increasingly, families are seeking support and services to help their children develop the skills they need be able to participate in the community and lead a fruitful life.”
Awareness among the community, increased understanding about ASD among healthcare professionals and more services being available for people with ASD are cited as reasons behind the change of attitude.
“From a regional perspective, there has been a big change from ten years ago both at a professional and interventional level,” said Dr Alateeqi.
A 2012 review of global prevalence estimates of autism spectrum disorders found a median of 62 cases per 10,000 people.
