HM's royal directives to establish Autism Spectrum Disorder Centre welcomed

Times of Oman

03-04-2025

Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is set to establish a specialised Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Care and Rehabilitation Centre, following the royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. A budget of OMR7 million has been allocated to bring this vital initiative to fruition, reflecting His Majesty's ongoing commitment to supporting and empowering all segments of society.
Dr. Nadia bint Ali Al-Ajmiya, Director of the National Autism Centre, emphasised that the establishment of this centre highlights His Majesty's dedication to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with autism. She noted that this move strengthens the importance of comprehensive healthcare, psychological and social support, and equitable inclusion for individuals with ASD and their families.
The centre aims to provide an integrated care environment tailored to meet the needs of individuals with autism. It will offer early diagnosis and assessment services, therapeutic interventions, psychological support, and specialised training programs for families and professionals. These services are designed to improve the quality of life for people with ASD and foster greater awareness and understanding of autism in society.
Additionally, Dr. Nadia elaborated on the centre's planned offerings, including comprehensive evaluations to determine individual needs, rehabilitation programmes to develop social and communication skills, occupational therapy, speech therapy, education, behavioural therapy, and other supportive services.
These efforts will significantly enhance care provision and promote pioneering integrated services across various domains.
The centre's services will include comprehensive diagnosis and early evaluation to identify individuals' needs, integrated rehabilitation services through programs focusing on improving social behaviours and communication skills, such as occupational therapy, speech therapy, educational and behavioural therapy, as well as support services. Additionally, the centre will provide guidance and counselling for families, helping them address challenges, and will offer specialised global training programmes for families and professionals in the field of autism.
Dr. Laila bint Salih Al-Shaqsiya, a paediatric consultant in the Developmental Medicine Department at the Royal Hospital, noted that the establishment of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Centre, under Royal directives, is a strategic step towards achieving the "Oman Vision 2040" goal of empowering people with disabilities and ensuring their rights.
This initiative reflects Oman's significant attention to this essential community and enhances national efforts to provide an integrated environment for caring for children and adults with autism.
The centre aims to foster their inclusion in society, serving as a genuine investment in building a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Dr. Laila emphasised that the centre will enhance the quality of services provided to individuals with ASD by collaborating with medical professionals from the Ministry of Health and university medical centres to offer comprehensive rehabilitative therapies, including behavioural, linguistic, occupational, and special education treatments, along with recreational programmes. These efforts will provide continuous support to families.
The centre will also play a critical role in training medical and educational personnel by organising workshops and training sessions involving psychologists, teachers, and parents to boost knowledge and skills required for effectively supporting individuals with autism.
Dr. Laila added that the centre will support scientific research by collecting and analysing national data on autism prevalence and influencing factors. A reliable database will enable the government to develop effective early intervention strategies and evidence-based policies, ensuring the best practices for autism care.
Dr. Alia bint Salim Al-Ghabshiya, Chairperson of the Oman Autism Association, described the Royal initiative to establish the Autism Spectrum Disorder Centre as a pioneering step. It reflects His Majesty's dedication to improving services for individuals with autism and their families, ensuring a brighter and more supportive future for this vital segment of society.
She added, the centre will address major gaps in current services by offering a specialised environment for early diagnosis, rehabilitation, educational, and training support. It will also raise community awareness and promote scientific research about autism, positively impacting the quality of life for this segment of society.
The centre will help overcome challenges by providing early diagnosis services, behavioural and occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, family training, and enhancing school and community integration programs, thereby alleviating the burden on families.
Specialised centres provide a safe and supportive environment for developing social, linguistic, and behavioural skills for individuals with autism.
This enables them to achieve greater independence and improves their opportunities for learning and employment. The centre will also play a role in training teachers and employers on how to work with individuals with autism, facilitating their integration into schools and the workforce. Moreover, community awareness campaigns and initiatives will break social barriers and foster societal acceptance of this group.
Expanding Services to other Governorates
Regarding the importance of Royal directives to study the need for similar centres in other governorates, the Chairperson of the Oman Autism Association, emphasised that this is a pivotal step in ensuring fair distribution of services across Oman, especially given the disparities in service availability between regions.
Achieving this effectively can be done through field studies to identify the actual needs of each governorate, coordination among government agencies and specialised associations to ensure service integration, and providing specialied staff through training and qualification programmes. Involving families and civil society in planning will ensure that centres address their needs. Sustainable budgets must also be allocated to ensure the continuity and development of these centres.
Engagement of Civil Society
Dr. Alia bint Salim Al-Ghabshiya, Chairperson of the Oman Autism Association, stressed the importance of involving associations and civil society in supporting the centre and ensuring the sustainability of its services. Organising awareness campaigns to enhance understanding of autism and encouraging the integration of individuals with autism are essential steps.
She highlighted the importance of collaboration with government agencies in presenting proposals to improve and expand services, activating volunteer work within the centre to support various activities and programs. Joint efforts between the government, associations, and civil society will ensure the centre's success in achieving its goals and sustaining its services for individuals with autism and their families.
A Glimmer of Hope
Khamis bin Khater Al-Salti, a parent of a child with autism, stated that the establishment of this specialised centre represents a beacon of hope eagerly awaited by many parents of children affected by this condition in Oman, especially in light of the relative increase in cases in recent years.
He emphasised that this noble gesture for this special segment of society would provide them with tailored care by deeply understanding their mental and psychological needs, ensuring their integration into their surrounding communities.
It would offer the best possible care aimed at enhancing their abilities and providing appropriate support for them and their families. The center will contribute to early intervention, improving their behaviours and developing their communication skills.
Al-Salti added that having a specialised centre will enable the accommodation of the largest possible number of individuals affected from various governorates of Oman, providing necessary care alongside the efforts of relevant institutions. With the availability of qualified and specialised medical staff, better care can be ensured, thus facilitating the active participation of individuals with autism in their family and community environments.
Shamsa bint Abdullah Al-Sharjiya, also a parent of a child with autism, emphasised that the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Centre is not just a national project but a noble humanitarian gesture of great significance.
She added that it embodies the wise leadership's attention to its children, highlighting its genuine interest in their quality of life and needs.
She stated, 'This generous initiative carries a message of hope, granting us reassurance that our children are at the heart of the national vision, receiving care and support. It represents a pioneering step that fosters empowerment, opening the door to a brighter future where opportunities are created and capabilities are honed.'
Al-Sharjiya also remarked that the establishment of this centre renews hope and energises parents like herself, enabling them to continue their journey with confidence and peace of mind, knowing that the nation extends its hand to all its children without exception. She expressed her gratitude for the royal support, which provides their children with the care they deserve and offers parents a noble sense of optimism for a better tomorrow.