Over 20,000 children benefit from UAE Early Autism Detection Programme

The Emirates Health Service (EHS) has revealed the number of children between the ages of 16 months and 30 months who benefitted from the Early Autism Detection Protection from 2022 to the first half of 2023 reached 20,626 children.

Furthermore, the total number of autism patients handled in 2022 amounted to approximately 1,093 cases.

According to Dr. Noor Al Mheiri, Director of the Mental Health Department at EHS, the programme aims to direct suspected cases of autism spectrum disorder to specialised facilities for evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment.

The goal is to provide necessary healthcare and specialised support to the beneficiaries and their families.

Dr. Al Mheiri emphasised that the efforts to enhance early detection and support for autistic children represent a significant milestone in healthcare delivery and reflect EHS’ commitment to providing comprehensive and effective healthcare services to various segments of the community.

EHS has also provided specialised outpatient clinics for children, operating in both morning and evening. The clinics offer assessment, treatment, and specialised rehabilitation services for psychological and behavioral disorders, tailored to the child's age and psychological and social needs.

Additionally, EHS offers 24-hour emergency services and a helpline to provide psychological consultations, support, and family guidance by trained psychologists, following an approved policy that ensures safety and quality.

In 2022, EHS launched a weekly clinic for autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and attention deficit disorder in children and adolescents at Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital.

It also established a network of teleclinics for community-based mental health services for children and adolescents in primary care centres in the Northern Emirates and general hospitals. The initiative aims to enhance integration between primary, secondary, and tertiary care services.