Thursday 03 / April / 2025
Muscat: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has graciously issued his Royal directives to allocateOMR7 million for the establishment of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Center in Muscat Governorate, which will operate under the National Autism Centre.
The Royal directives also mandate studying the need for such centers in other governorates and setting a timeline for their establishment based on the number of cases in each governorate.
These royal directives, coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day, reaffirm the profound attention His Majesty dedicates to his sons and daughters with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of providing high-quality rehabilitative and therapeutic services. These services will empower them to achieve independence, facilitate their integration into society, and ultimately contribute to building an inclusive and cohesive society that offers equal opportunities for all.
The establishment of the center aims to provide distinctive and specialized rehabilitation, care, and recreational services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder in a comprehensive, accessible, and integrated environment. This step will support their educational and social integration while enhancing their capabilities through all available means across various life domains.
The center will be constructed on the extended premises of the National Autism Centre in the Wilayat of A’Seeb, covering a built-up area of approximately 26,000 square meters, with a daily capacity to serve 150 cases.
The center, envisaged to be the first of its kind in the Middle East in terms of service diversity, will offer a wide and integrated range of rehabilitative services tailored to the needs of individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These include comprehensive rehabilitation services featuring specialized rehabilitation halls equipped with modern tools and technologies to promote social integration. It will also provide specialized recreational programs through tailored recreational facilities and activities suited to the health conditions of enrolled individuals. Non-enrolled individuals may also access these facilities during designated times.
Additionally, the center will serve as the central authority for specialized training programs for autism spectrum disorder professionals, issuing professional licenses in this field and offering continuous training for families across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The center will also provide temporary care services by offering suitable facilities for individuals with severe autism spectrum disorder, as well as diagnosis and evaluation services through early and comprehensive diagnostics conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
The establishment of this center reflects the goals of Oman Vision 2040, which places significant emphasis on the inclusion and empowerment of all societal groups, including persons with disabilities. This commitment is evident through its focus on enhancing health and well-being, providing high-quality and accessible healthcare, ensuring inclusive education that meets the needs of all students including those with autism spectrum disorder, and encouraging innovation and the development of assistive technologies to help persons with disabilities overcome challenges.
Dr. Alia bint Salim Al-Ghabshiya, Chairperson of the Oman Autism Association, described the royal initiative to establish the Autism Spectrum Disorder Center 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 center will address major gaps in current services by offering a specialized 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 center will help overcome challenges by providing early diagnosis services, behavioral and occupational therapy, vocational rehabilitation, family training, and enhancing school and community integration programs, thereby alleviating the burden on families.
Specialized centers provide a safe and supportive environment for developing social, linguistic, and behavioral skills for individuals with autism. This enables them to achieve greater independence and improves their opportunities for learning and employment. The center 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 centers in other governorates, the Chairperson of the Oman Autism Association emphasized 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 specialized associations to ensure service integration, and providing specialized staff through training and qualification programs. Involving families and civil society in planning will ensure that centers address their needs. Sustainable budgets must also be allocated to ensure the continuity and development of these centers.
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 center and ensuring the sustainability of its services. Organizing 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 center to support various activities and programs. Joint efforts between the government, associations, and civil society will ensure the center’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 specialized center for Autism Spectrum Disorder 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 emphasized 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 behaviors and developing their communication skills.
Al-Salti added that having a specialized center 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 specialized 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, emphasized that the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Center 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 center renews hope and energizes 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.
