Challenges in the Diagnosis, Management, and Support of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the United Arab Emirates: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is one of the most important neurodevelopmental disorders with major implications for affected children and families, as well as healthcare systems. Despite increased global awareness and implementation of early intervention programs globally, families face challenges in managing care for individuals with ASD. These challenges include disparities in service access, financial burdens, and stigma, especially in culturally diverse environments like the UAE. Methods: The narrative review was conducted on studies published on various databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The studies included in this review focused on the experiences of families caring for children living in the UAE diagnosed with ASD up to the age of 18 years. In total, there were 250 studies on children living in the UAE diagnosed with ASD. Of these studies, 28 used qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method designs. Results and Discussion: There is a lack of epidemiologic data on ASD in the UAE, and existing data are derived from hospital, school, and survey studies rather than a national registry. The majority of caregivers are mothers, who experience significant anxiety, stress, stigmatization, and a lack of psychosocial support services. There is a substantial disparity in the availability of diagnostic and treatment services for ASD across the Emirates. These findings demonstrate that despite growing policy initiatives and service enhancement, structural, financial, and sociocultural barriers continue to limit fair access to timely and effective ASD care in the UAE. Conclusion: The results reveal that despite the increase in policy initiatives and improvements in the delivery of health and social care services, there are still barriers to the delivery of equitable and effective ASD care.