MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has graciously issued his Royal directives to allocate RO 7 million for the establishment of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Muscat Governorate, which will operate under the National Autism Centre.
The Royal directives also mandate studying the need for such centres 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, emphasising 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 centre aims to provide distinctive and specialised 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 centre will be constructed on the extended premises of the National Autism Centre in the Wilayat of Al Seeb, covering a built-up area of approximately 26,000 square metres, with a daily capacity to serve 150 cases.
The centre, 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 specialised rehabilitation halls equipped with modern tools and technologies to promote social integration. It will also provide specialised recreational programmes 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 centre will serve as the central authority for specialised training programmes for autism spectrum disorder professionals, issuing professional licences in this field and offering continuous training for families across all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman. The centre 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 centre 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. — ONA
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