In the Middle East, stigma surrounding autism persists

Updated 03 April 2019
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In the Middle East, stigma surrounding autism persists

  • While the stigma remains in the Middle East, early diagnosis can help a child’s development

DUBAI: While awareness of autism has improved in the Middle East, the stigma surrounding it still lingers, according to experts and parents of children with the condition, who are using World Autism Day to call for more awareness, early detection and better inclusion.

The UN marks the day each year on April 2, and landmarks and buildings worldwide are lit up in blue to bring attention to, and acceptance of, the neurobiological disorder that affects communication, behavior and social relationships. 

Globally, the World Health Organization estimates that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one per 160 children.

The prevalence in the Middle East is still unknown, largely due to a lack of diagnoses or a lack of acceptance from parents.

“There’s a significant paucity of data on prevalence or scientific research in the field of ASD in Arab countries,” said Dr. Arun Sharma, medical director of Dubai’s Emirates Hospital Clinic.

Available reports suggest that the prevalence of ASD is 1.4 per 10,000 children in Oman, 29 in the UAE and 59 in Saudi Arabia, he added. 

“The lower incidence of ASD might be due to the shortage of specialists to diagnose it properly, and the lack of parents’ awareness to recognize symptoms and seek diagnostic clarification,” he said. 

Things are likely to improve with the advent of new health care facilities, more neuropsychiatric professionals and growing social acceptance, but the region has a long way to go, Sharma added. 

“The Middle East, when it comes to making a diagnosis of autism, doesn’t fare well compared to countries in the West,” he said.

“Some parents still evince little inclination in acknowledging that their child may have an autistic issue. When told by a neurologist / psychiatrist, their first reaction is to erupt in an emotional rage, followed by a long duration of denial. This goes on to prove that the stigma around the condition is almost as pervasive as the disorder itself.”

Rana Akkad Atassi heads the UAE-based special needs center Jad’s Inclusion, named after her autistic son who died in his sleep last summer. The center helps fill the gap between mainstream and special needs education.

“There has certainly been a huge improvement in the past five years when it comes to diagnosis, awareness and inclusion of autism in the Middle East,” Atassi told Arab News.

“We see the launch of new therapy centers, a number of awareness and support campaigns etc, but we still have a long way ahead of us,” she said.

“Despite the great advancement achieved in the region in the last couple of years, we still have a lack of diagnostic centers and therapists when compared to the rest of the world. Moreover, the quality of what’s available is still far from the benchmark.”

There have been many improvements across the Middle East. For example, Saudi Arabia’s first autism center was relaunched in Jeddah’s Al-Shatei district as an integrated facility for rehabilitating children.

The Jeddah Autism Center has been widely recognized as one of the leading facilities in the Arab world.

New rules launched by the UAE’s education regulator state that all private schools in Dubai must be able to cater for special needs children by 2020.

Last month, the country hosted the Special Olympics, which saw athletes with a range of mental disabilities — including those on the autism spectrum — compete against each other on a global platform.

They included Saudi national Abdulmalik Almuhayfith, an athlete with autism who competed in roller skating.

Those close to him highlight how much he respects punctuality, a common trait of those with autism.

In the future, Almuhayfith hopes to become a TV presenter. He relished the chance to shine at the Special Olympics, and parents of others with autism say they hope for more platforms that allow all children to showcase their skills, regardless of their ability.

“In the UAE, we’re lucky to have some good-quality centers with qualified therapists for those with autism,” said Zora M’salka, a 35-year-old Canadian living in Dubai whose 6-year-old twins Mak and Mow both have autism.

“One of the best examples of inclusion in the UAE was just last month when it hosted the Special Olympics. It was so amazing to see the leaders of this country get involved, and all the people of determination who did such an amazing job.”

However, “there are very long waiting lists for treatment, and the prices for assessments are very expensive,” M’salka said.

“As for inclusion, we’re so far behind. We’ve been rejected from so many schools without them even giving a chance for assessment. As soon as they hear ‘autism,’ it’s a ‘no’ or ‘we’re full’,” she added.

“There’s a stigma surrounding autism. Our kids are always being judged, and people stare and give unwanted advice,” she said.

“But the situation is slowly improving. People are getting to be more aware. I’m hopeful that things are taking a drastic change to a positive future for our kids.”

In her line of work, Atassi sees many issues surrounding autism, most chiefly misdiagnosis, which prevents children from receiving critical early intervention, and the cultural stigma. “A wrong diagnosis or treatment is worse than not getting any, and sadly I see many places taking advantage of parents’ ignorance and charging them exorbitant amounts of money for treatments that might be doing more harm than good,” she said.

“Unfortunately, it’s still a stigma among many people in the region. The fact that autism is a diagnosis that doesn’t show physically makes it easier for parents to hide it.”

April McCabe, an American expat who runs the Autism Mom Dubai support group, said while the Middle East has “come a long way” in the 11 years she has lived in the UAE, when it comes to improving detection and treatment, “we still have a long way to go.” She added: “Unfortunately, diagnosis is extremely expensive and many parents can’t afford to get a proper diagnosis for their child, which in turn leaves the parents lost and not knowing where to go for help.”

McCabe, whose 15-year-old son Owen has autism, said many doctors charge 7,000 UAE dirhams ($1,866) or more for a diagnosis, and support for autistic children can be even more expensive, starting at 10,000 dirhams per month for applied behavior analysis therapy. “It would be great if the government could regulate this and offer families some support,” she added.

Andrea Allen, a 45-year-old British expat living in Dubai, has a 12-year-old son, Oscar, with autism. She said there are still stigmas surrounding ASD.

“Many feel it’s a mental illness, whereas in fact it’s a neurological disorder. The individual was born this way, and instead of fearing their differences, we should embrace them, and we’ll learn so much about the world through their eyes,” she added.

Research has shown that early intervention can improve a child’s overall development. Children who receive autism-appropriate education and support at key developmental stages are more likely to gain essential social skills and react better in society. Essentially, early detection can provide an autistic child with the potential for a better life. 

Angela Geiger, president and CEO of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, said the focus is on lowering the age of diagnosis.

Autism can be diagnosed as early as 2 years old, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a US federal agency, found in 2018 that most children were being diagnosed at the age of 4.

“The important thing about that is that diagnosis gets you right into timely interventions, and the better that intervention is, you can be your best self,” said Geiger.


Lebanon’s central bank bans transactions with Hezbollah financial affiliate

Updated 8 sec ago
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Lebanon’s central bank bans transactions with Hezbollah financial affiliate

  • 12 people killed and several injured in series of surprise Israeli attacks on targets in Bekaa Valley
  • Members of the Lebanese parliament criticize government for delays in efforts to ensure possession of weapons is restricted to state forces

BEIRUT: Karim Souaid, the governor of Lebanon’s central bank, on Tuesday banned banks and other organizations from doing business with Al-Qard Al-Hassan, a financial institution affiliated with Hezbollah.

Seen as a major step by the Lebanese state, the move coincided with the launch by the Israeli army of more than 10 surprise raids on targets in western and eastern mountain ranges of the Bekaa Valley. The Lebanese Ministry of Health said six people were wounded in the strikes.

A subsequent raid struck a well-drilling machine in the border town of Wadi Faara, killing 12 people, including five Lebanese nationals and seven Syrians from the same family, and injuring several more. Israeli strikes also hit the towns of Bodai, Kasarnaba, Shmistar and Brital. One missile landed near Shmistar Secondary School while exams were taking place, shattering windows and causing panic and distress among students.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the strikes sent a clear message to Hezbollah, as he accused the organization of attempting to rebuild its forces to threaten his country.

A resident of Shmistar told Arab News the areas targeted by the attacks were “abandoned sites.” The Israeli army said its fighter jets, “guided by the Intelligence Directorate and Northern Command,” had targeted military compounds in the Bekaa Valley affiliated with Hezbollah.

Avichay Adraee, a military spokesperson, said the strikes focused on camps that were used by Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force to store weapons and train for attacks against Israeli forces. Hezbollah members and weapons depots were identified at the sites, he added, as he accused the militant group of violating the November 2024 ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, Banque du Liban, Lebanon’s central bank, said: “Lebanese financial institutions are banned from providing or facilitating financial, monetary or transfer services or brokerage services in favor of unlicensed institutions, companies and associations.”

The statement specifically identified “Al-Qard Al-Hassan Association, Tasheelat S.A.L., Al-Yusr for Finance and Investment, Bayt Al-Mal Lil Muslimin, and any entity listed on international sanctions lists.”

The ban also covers “establishing or implementing financing, leasing or lending arrangements, or facilitating access for such entities or their branches to the Lebanese banking system, in any currency.”

The central bank said the decision was part of “preventive measures aimed at protecting Lebanon’s financial and economic sectors from dealing with unlicensed or internationally sanctioned entities.”

It continued: “Violations of this decision will trigger strict legal action, which may include the suspension or revocation of licenses, freezing of accounts and assets, and referral to the Special Investigation Commission.”

The US Department of State designates Hezbollah as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. It has imposed sanctions on Al-Qard Al-Hassan and affiliated officials, and accused them this month of facilitating attempts by Hezbollah to evade sanctions and enable Al-Qard Al-Hassan to conduct millions of dollars of transactions through “shadow” accounts. Israeli forces struck branches of the institution during the war against Hezbollah last year.

In other developments, during a plenary session, members of the Lebanese parliament criticized delays by the government in efforts to ensure possession of weapons is restricted to state forces; its failure to disclose a US proposal for a mechanism to implement the ceasefire agreement with Israel and UN Resolution 1701; for diluting the issue of recovery of depositors’ funds in Lebanese banks; and for failing to resolve the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

Resolution 1701 was adopted by the Security Council in 2006 with the aim of resolving the conflict that year between Israel and Hezbollah. It calls for an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the withdrawal of Hezbollah and other forces from parts of the country south of the Litani River, and the disarmament of Hezbollah and other armed groups.

The criticisms from opposition MPs came during a discussion about the performance of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government after its first 150 days in office.

Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan condemned “the government’s failure to set a timetable for dismantling and handing over weapons and imposing sovereignty.”

He added: “The government must move quickly to end the presence of military structures on Lebanese territory. No one can hope for the return of Arab and international relations to Lebanon if this is not done,” given that “the government is unable to protect the UNIFIL (the UN’s Interim Force in Lebanon peacekeeping mission) forces that support Lebanon.”

MP Gebran Bassil, head of the Free Patriotic Movement, said: “The current authority is acting as a bystander, neither starting to disarm nor to take possession of the weapons. What is happening is a process of buying time until a US-Iranian agreement takes place.

“The question is, if that does not happen, do we remain like this? Instead of taking the initiative to present a Lebanese paper to address this issue, we wait for the US paper and discuss what can be done with it.”

Independent MP Michel Moawad said: “Lebanon is facing a historic opportunity to address weapons and the military groups outside state control, rebuild the nation and break free from isolation.

“While the government’s stance is good, it lacks implementation. The opportunity is present now; failure to act will lead to further occupation, destruction and isolation, and ultimately everything will be lost.”

Fouad Makhzoumi, also an independent MP, expressed regret that “the government’s decision has devolved into negotiating with every weapon outside the state’s authority.”

He added: “What is required of those who carry weapons is to hand them over to the state. Those bearing arms are required to surrender them to the state, enabling it to defend itself against the threat of war, have the means to recover and liberate the five points from the renewed occupation (by Israeli forces), secure the return of prisoners, and initiate negotiations to delineate the Blue Line.”

He urged the government to “fully implement the ceasefire agreement, the Taif Agreement and Resolution 1701 in all its provisions, and to mandate the army to prevent any of the repeated and systematic attacks on UNIFIL.”

Hezbollah MP Ibrahim Al-Moussawi criticized what he described as a failure to provide the Lebanese army with “weapons to protect the homeland against the enemy.”

He said: “We are among the first advocates for a just Lebanese state for all its citizens but where is this state? We do not question anyone’s patriotism and the army is our army, but there is a foreign ‘veto’ that prevents arming the army.

“Lebanon has fully implemented all its obligations under the ceasefire agreement, while Israel has failed to implement a single clause.”

He warned that “whoever thinks they are dealing with others based on a political logic of victors and vanquished is a traitor to Lebanon,” and added: “What we are witnessing is an existential threat, and any understanding on any other basis will put us all in a circle of loss.”


14 million children did not receive a single vaccine in 2024, UN estimates

Updated 36 min 41 sec ago
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14 million children did not receive a single vaccine in 2024, UN estimates

  • WHO and UNICEF said about 89 percent of children under 1 year old got a first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine in 2024
  • About 85 percent completed the three-dose series, up from 84 percent in 2023

LONDON: More than 14 million children did not receive a single vaccine last year — about the same number as the year before — according to UN health officials. Nine countries accounted for more than half of those unprotected children.

In their annual estimate of global vaccine coverage, released Tuesday, the World Health Organization and UNICEF said about 89 percent of children under 1 year old got a first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine in 2024, the same as in 2023. About 85 percent completed the three-dose series, up from 84 percent in 2023.

Officials acknowledged, however, that the collapse of international aid this year will make it more difficult to reduce the number of unprotected children. In January, US President Trump withdrew the country from the WHO, froze nearly all humanitarian aid and later moved to close the US AID Agency. And last month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said it was pulling the billions of dollars the US had previously pledged to the vaccines alliance Gavi, saying the group had “ignored the science.”

Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has previously raised questions the diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough vaccine — which has proven to be safe and effective after years of study and real-world use. Vaccines prevent 3.5 million to 5 million deaths a year, according to UN estimates.

“Drastic cuts in aid, coupled with misinformation about the safety of vaccines, threaten to unwind decades of progress,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

UN experts said that access to vaccines remained “deeply unequal” and that conflict and humanitarian crises quickly unraveled progress; Sudan had the lowest reported coverage against diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough. The data showed that nine countries accounted for 52 percent of all children who missed out on immunizations entirely: Nigeria, India, Sudan, Congo, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Yemen, Afghanistan and Angola.

WHO and UNICEF said coverage against measles rose slightly, with 76 percent of children worldwide receiving both vaccine doses. But experts say measles vaccine rates need to reach 95 percent to prevent outbreaks of the extremely contagious disease. WHO noted that 60 countries reported big measles outbreaks last year.

The US is now having its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, while the disease has also surged across Europe, with 125,000 cases in 2024 — twice as many as the previous year, according to WHO.

Last week, British authorities reported a child died of measles in a Liverpool hospital. Health officials said that despite years of efforts to raise awareness, only about 84 percent of children in the UK are protected.

“It is hugely concerning, but not at all surprising, that we are continuing to see outbreaks of measles,” said Helen Bradford, a professor of children’s health at University College London. “The only way to stop measles spreading is with vaccination,” she said in a statement. “It is never too late to be vaccinated — even as an adult.”


Lebanon’s worst drought on record drains largest reservoir

Updated 15 July 2025
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Lebanon’s worst drought on record drains largest reservoir

  • The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year’s wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic meters
  • Last year, the figure stood at 230 million

QARAOUN, Lebanon: Water levels at Lebanon’s largest reservoir on the Litani River have fallen to historic lows amid what experts describe as the country’s worst drought on record, threatening agriculture, electricity production, and domestic water supplies.

The Litani River National Authority said inflows to Lake Qaraoun during this year’s wet season did not exceed 45 million cubic meters, a fraction of the 350 million cubic meters annual average.

Last year, the figure stood at 230 million. The water currently available in Lake Qaraoun — around 61 million cubic meters — was unusable due to severe pollution, the authority said.

“There were dry years in 1989, 1990 and 1991, but this year is the driest,” said Sami Alawieh, head of the river authority. “We are facing a water scarcity problem across all Lebanese territories and water basins.”

Drone footage of Lake Qaraoun shows a dramatically receded shoreline, exposing cracked earth and dead vegetation.

Lebanon’s hydroelectric plants tied to the Litani basin have been shut down, Alawieh said, causing financial losses and intensifying electricity rationing by Electricite du Liban.

“We have two factors: the decline in rainfall and the pressure on groundwater,” he said.

A study by the authority found climate warming and shifting weather patterns have contributed to more frequent dry seasons and higher temperatures, exacerbating soil moisture loss and reducing the recharging of groundwater reservoirs.

The state utility has slashed supply in some areas from 20 hours a day to as little as 10.

In the fertile area around Qaraoun village, in the Bekaa Valley, farmers were already feeling the impact.

“I have never seen such drought or scarcity of rain as this year,” said Safa Issa. “We used to get snow up to a meter high. Now, it’s been 10 years since we’ve seen any.”

The strain has been compounded by erratic supply of electricity needed to run irrigation systems.

“You irrigate for three hours, then stop for three,” said Fayez Omais, another local farmer.

Suzy Hoayek, an adviser to the Ministry of Energy and Water in Beirut, said a nationwide awareness campaign to reduce consumption would be launched within 10 days.

“The most important thing is to manage demand,” she said.


Jordanian anti-narcotics authorities thwart smuggling attempt on border with Syria

Updated 15 July 2025
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Jordanian anti-narcotics authorities thwart smuggling attempt on border with Syria

  • Jordanian troops forced the smugglers to retreat into Syrian territory after they deployed rapid response patrols and applied rules of engagement
  • Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic reached an agreement to establish a joint security committee aimed at securing their border in January

LONDON: The Jordanian Armed Forces thwarted a drug smuggling attempt on their northeastern border with Syria on Tuesday morning as they intensified efforts to protect national security.

The Eastern Command, which includes units from Ar-Ramtha and Mafraq near the Iraqi and Syrian borders, thwarted an infiltration and smuggling attempt involving a large quantity of narcotics, in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Department.

Jordanian troops forced the smugglers to retreat into Syrian territory after they deployed rapid response patrols and applied rules of engagement, according to the Petra news agency. A search of the area resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics by authorities.

Last week, Jordanian anti-narcotics authorities prevented an attempt to smuggle narcotics using a drone across the country’s western border.

In January, Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic reached an agreement to establish a joint security committee aimed at securing their border, combating arms and drug smuggling, and preventing the resurgence of the Daesh terror group.


Divided EU weighs action against Israel over Gaza war

European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks.
Updated 15 July 2025
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Divided EU weighs action against Israel over Gaza war

  • Bloc’s foreign policy chief put forward 10 potential steps after Israel was found to have breached cooperation deal between two sides on human rights grounds

BRUSSELS: EU foreign ministers on Tuesday discussed options for action against Israel over the war in Gaza — but looked unlikely to agree on any.
The bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has put forward 10 potential steps after Israel was found to have breached a cooperation deal between the two sides on human rights grounds.
The measures range from suspending the entire accord or curbing trade ties to sanctioning Israeli ministers, imposing an arms embargo and halting visa-free travel.
Despite growing anger over the devastation in Gaza, EU states remain divided over how to tackle Israel and diplomats say there appears to be no critical mass for any move.
“I can’t predict how the discussion will go,” Kallas said, ahead of the foreign ministers’ talks in Brussels.
She said the main focus would likely be on how the EU could leverage improvements to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
That comes after Kallas on Thursday announced a deal with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, to open more entry points and allow in more food.
Gaza’s two million residents face dire humanitarian conditions as Israel has severely limited aid during its war with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“We see some positive signs when it comes to border crossings open, we see some positive signs of them reconstructing the electricity lines, providing water, also more trucks of humanitarian aid coming in,” Kallas said Monday.
But she said the situation in Gaza remained “catastrophic.”
“Of course, we need to see more in order to see real improvement for the people on the ground,” she said.
Saar, speaking at a meeting in Brussels on Monday, was confident Israel would avoid further EU action.
“I’m sure not any of them will be adopted by the EU member states,” said the foreign minister. “There’s no justification whatsoever.”
While the EU appears unable to take further moves against Israel, just getting to this stage has been a considerable step.
The bloc only agreed to review the cooperation deal after Israel relaunched military operations in Gaza following the collapse of a ceasefire in March.
Until then deep divisions between countries backing Israel and those more favorable to the Palestinians had hamstrung any move.
In a sign of that, Hungary looked likely to maintain a block on more sanctions on Israeli settlers in the West Bank despite French minister Jean-Noel Barrot making a fresh plea for action.
The war was sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which led to 1,219 deaths, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Of 251 people taken hostage by Hamas, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.
Hamas-run Gaza’s health ministry says that at least 58,386 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign. The UN considers those figures reliable.