Royal Order for national autism centre in Oman hailed

Muscat Daily

05-04-2025

Muscat – Health and education experts in Oman have welcomed the Royal Orders of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to establish a dedicated centre for the care and rehabilitation of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), describing the move as an important step in supporting an underserved segment of society.
The Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Center will be established with an allocation of RO7mn in Muscat. Experts said the project reflects the government's continued commitment to addressing the needs of people with autism and supporting their families, while also contributing to broader national goals under Oman Vision 2040.
Dr Nadia Ali al Ajmi, Director of the National Autism Centre, said the initiative marked a critical advancement in social support. 'The new centre will support individuals with ASD and raise awareness of existing service gaps,' she said. Dr Nadia Ali al Ajmi
Dr Nadia added that the facility will offer integrated services, enhance skills among specialists, and provide early diagnosis and assessment.
She explained that the centre's services would include evaluation of individual conditions, rehabilitation programmes focused on social behaviour and communication, and therapies such as occupational, speech, educational and behavioural therapy.
Families of individuals with ASD will also receive guidance on how to address daily challenges. 'Specialised training based on international standards will be introduced for professionals working in the field,' she said.
Dr Laila Saleh al Shaqsi, paediatric consultant at the Royal Hospital's Department of Developmental Medicine, described the centre as a 'strategic step' in the implementation of Oman Vision 2040. 'It will empower individuals with disabilities and contribute to their integration into society,' she said.
Dr Laila highlighted the planned collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the University Medical City in offering early diagnosis and ongoing rehabilitation. She added that the centre would also serve as a base for data collection and research on autism, supporting the development of early intervention strategies and national policy.
Dr Alia Salim al Ghabshi, Head of the Board of Directors of the Oman Autism Society, said the initiative would address major gaps in current services, particularly in early diagnosis, rehabilitation, and education.
'The centre will provide a safe and structured environment for individuals with ASD to build social, linguistic, and behavioural skills,' she said.
She added that the centre would also work to raise community awareness and reduce social barriers, enhancing acceptance and inclusion. Public outreach initiatives would further support these goals, while improving the quality of life for individuals with autism.
Dr Alia also noted that the Royal Orders include a directive to assess the need for similar centres in other governorates. 'This is a basic step towards ensuring equitable distribution of services across Oman,' she said.