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Services for children with autism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Fahad M Alnemary1,2,3, Hesham M Aldhalaan4, Gabriela Simon-Cereijido2
11 University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
Insights
Autism spectrum disorder services in Saudi Arabia show disparities in access and utilization. Factors like parental income and education influence treatment choices for children with autism.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Limited data exists on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) services in Saudi Arabia.
- Understanding current service utilization is crucial for improving care for children with ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns of autism spectrum disorder service utilization among children in Saudi Arabia.
- To identify factors influencing the age of service initiation and treatment selection.
Main Methods:
- An online survey was administered to 205 parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in Saudi Arabia.
- Data collected included demographics, child characteristics, and details on service utilization.
Main Results:
- Children with ASD in Saudi Arabia initiated services around 3.3 years of age.
- Non-medical treatments were most common, followed by biomedical and cultural/religious options.
- Service initiation age and treatment type varied based on parental income, education, ASD knowledge, and location.
Conclusions:
- Significant disparities in autism spectrum disorder service utilization exist in Saudi Arabia.
- Policy development and targeted interventions are needed to address the scarcity of services.
- Further research is essential to understand parental decision-making in treatment selection for ASD.
Abstract:
Little information is available about autism spectrum disorder services in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A sample of 205 parents completed an online survey about the use of autism spectrum disorder services for their children. The results revealed that on average, children began services by 3.3 years. Most parents reported utilizing non-medical treatments followed by biomedical treatments and cultural and religious treatment. The age at the initiation of services and the type of treatments used differed by parent's income, educational attainment, the extent of knowledge about autism spectrum disorders, and geographic location. Some child characteristics also influenced the use of services. The disparities in service utilization in Saudi Arabia point to the need to develop policy and interventions that can mitigate the paucity of services for children with autism spectrum disorders. More research is needed to better understand service use and the decision-making processes that underlie treatment selection by parents of children with autism spectrum disorders in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
