MUSCAT – In a public awareness message, the Ministry stressed that ‘understanding is the first step, and support is the path’ to empowering children with autism to express themselves, learn, and thrive. It urged families to ‘listen, embrace, and support’, highlighting the importance of early engagement in a child’s developmental journey.
Globally, this year’s observance is being held under the theme ‘Autism and Humanity – Every Life Has Value’, reinforcing the importance of dignity, inclusion, and equal rights for individuals with autism. Organizers have also called for renewed efforts to counter misinformation and promote greater societal understanding.
Oman’s Ministry of Health confirmed that early detection, classification, and treatment of disabilities are guaranteed under Article 14 of Oman’s Child Law. Screening services for autism and other developmental disorders are available across all healthcare facilities in the Sultanate.
According to the Ministry, autism screening is integrated into routine child healthcare, with assessments conducted during standard visits at 18 and 24 months of age. During these visits, parents or guardians complete a developmental questionnaire to help identify potential early signs of autism and related conditions.
The Ministry also underscored that parental cooperation in completing these assessments, along with adherence to scheduled health check-ups, plays a critical role in enabling timely intervention and better long-term outcomes for children.
The Ministry reiterated that consistent monitoring of a child’s growth through periodic visits documented in health records can significantly improve access to appropriate care if developmental concerns are identified early.
The Ministry’s campaign message concluded with a call for empathy and inclusion: “Be with me in my world… Embrace me… Understand me… Help me.”
