Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study

Abdul Sattar Khan; Hussain Adil AlGhadeer; Ahmed Mohammed Al-Qassimi; Tawfiq Matoq Al-Jubran; Hader Hani Al-Momen; Mohammed Yousef Al-Nazzal

doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

2025, Vol: 9, Issue: 3

9 / 3Current Issue Online First Archive Aims and Scope Abstracting & Indexing Most Accessed Articles Most Downloaded Articles Most Cited Articles

« Previous Article

Original Article
Online Published: 12 Aug 2020

IJMDC. 2020; 4(9): 1453-1458

doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study

Abdul Sattar Khan, Hussain Adil Alghadeer, Ahmed Mohammed Al-qassimi, Tawfiq Matoq Al-jubran, Hader Hani Al-momen, Mohammed Yousef Al-nazzal.

Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a mental condition, usually presented from early childhood; it is often observed and diagnosed within the first 3 years of the child's life. This study aims to evaluate the challenges that families are facing regarding raising a child with Autism in Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia from December 2016 to February 2017 to assess the challenges faced by families of ASD children. This study involved all the families that have one or more autistic children between the ages of 1 and 12 years. The data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire distributed electronically and in paper form among
families with an autistic child with the help of autism centers. The data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21.
Results: The questionnaire consisted of 31 questions, a total of 61 families participated in this study. Regarding the diagnosis, the majority of the sample was diagnosed with Autism at an early age. The prevalence of ASD in males was found higher than females. Public awareness was still very poor. Families were spending a lot of money even though the governments facilities were acceptable. The study found it to be challenging to raise
an autistic child in the studied population,
Conclusion: The study found families with autistic children were suffering from many challenges, psychologically, socially, emotionally, and financially in the Saudi population.

Key words: Autism, Saudi families, autism spectrum disorder, challenges, child

	ARTICLE TOOLS
	Abstract
	PDF Fulltext
	How to cite this article
	Citation Tools
	Related Records
	Articles by Abdul Sattar Khan Articles by Hussain Adil AlGhadeer Articles by Ahmed Mohammed Al-Qassimi Articles by Tawfiq Matoq Al-Jubran Articles by Hader Hani Al-Momen Articles by Mohammed Yousef Al-Nazzal
	on Google
	on Google Scholar

How to Cite this Article

Pubmed Style

Khan AS, Alghadeer HA, Al-qassimi AM, Al-jubran TM, Al-momen HH, Al-nazzal MY. Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2020; 4(9): 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Web Style

Khan AS, Alghadeer HA, Al-qassimi AM, Al-jubran TM, Al-momen HH, Al-nazzal MY. Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=106760 [Access: April 22, 2025]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Khan AS, Alghadeer HA, Al-qassimi AM, Al-jubran TM, Al-momen HH, Al-nazzal MY. Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. 2020; 4(9): 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Khan AS, Alghadeer HA, Al-qassimi AM, Al-jubran TM, Al-momen HH, Al-nazzal MY. Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC. (2020), [cited April 22, 2025]; 4(9): 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Harvard Style

Khan, A. S., Alghadeer, . H. A., Al-qassimi, . A. M., Al-jubran, . T. M., Al-momen, . H. H. & Al-nazzal, . M. Y. (2020) Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. IJMDC, 4 (9), 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Turabian Style

Khan, Abdul Sattar, Hussain Adil Alghadeer, Ahmed Mohammed Al-qassimi, Tawfiq Matoq Al-jubran, Hader Hani Al-momen, and Mohammed Yousef Al-nazzal. 2020. Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 4 (9), 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Chicago Style

Khan, Abdul Sattar, Hussain Adil Alghadeer, Ahmed Mohammed Al-qassimi, Tawfiq Matoq Al-jubran, Hader Hani Al-momen, and Mohammed Yousef Al-nazzal. "Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 4 (2020), 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Khan, Abdul Sattar, Hussain Adil Alghadeer, Ahmed Mohammed Al-qassimi, Tawfiq Matoq Al-jubran, Hader Hani Al-momen, and Mohammed Yousef Al-nazzal. "Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 4.9 (2020), 1453-1458. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Khan, A. S., Alghadeer, . H. A., Al-qassimi, . A. M., Al-jubran, . T. M., Al-momen, . H. H. & Al-nazzal, . M. Y. (2020) Autism in Saudi Arabia, a challenge to Saudi families: a cross-sectional study. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 4 (9), 1453-1458. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1595277794

Most Viewed Articles

Most Accessed Articles

Marginal adaptation of fixed prosthodontics
Shahad Mohammed Halawani, Sahar Amer Al-Harbi
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 78-84
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.7

Parasites in central nervous system
Amal Ahmed Mohamed, Asmaa Mohamed Mansour
IJMDC. 2017; 1(2): 72-77
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.2.6

Non-diabetic retinopathy: a case report
Hassan F. Alkwikbi, Nabil Mamon Abdelfattah, Haithem Mamon Abdelfattah
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 33-37
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.6

Vitamin D deficiency among high school female students in Riyadh
Sahar Mohsen Aldhafeeri, Fatemah Ibraheem Alrawaji, Abrar Mubarak Algharbi, Alanoud Abdullah Alhessan, Ayat Sami Qabaja, Ghaleah Abdulaziz Alnassar, Ghaliah Ofayn Alsulami, Mashael Belal Alrubaian, Norah Abdulaziz Alhatim, Salehah Salih Alotaibi, Zahra Ali Alkhamees
IJMDC. 2017; 1(1): 18-23
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.1.1.4

Prognosis of chronic complications of diabetes mellitus (DM) after multiple events of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Baraa Faiez Rajab, Anwar Essa Alamrim, Ali Essa Alamri
IJMDC. 2019; 3(5): 474-479
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1546551993

Most Downloaded

Top Downloaded Articles

Anti-IL-17 markedly inhibited the in vitro granuloma induced by Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen.
Asmaa Ezz, Irene S. Gmail, Fatma Elzahraa H. Salem, Rabab Salama, Soad Nady
IJMDC. 2018; 2(January 2018): 38-46
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.2.1.7

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699

The knowledge of mothers about children malnutrition and associated factors
Anas Abdulrahman Aljohani, Mujahid Abdulrahman Aljohani
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 7-11
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1541620358

Knowledge and attitude of caregivers of cerebral palsy children in Riyadh city
Abdulaziz Alruwaished, Baleegh Ali, Lubna Abdullah Alhowaimil , Abaraa adullah Alhowaimil, Najd Abdullah Alhowaimil, Aminah Alessa
IJMDC. 2020; 4(1): 12-17
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1547833051

Most Cited Articles

Most Cited Articles

Antibiotic Resistance Crisis
Nuha Saad Mobarki, Buthaina Abdullah Almerabi, Ahmad Hattan Hattan
IJMDC. 2019; 3(6): 561-564
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1549060699
Cited : 34 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among diabetes mellitus patients in Arar, Northern Saudi Arabia
AMohammed Elamin Mukrim, Nujud Muteb D. Alshammari, Wurud Muteb D. Alshammari, Maali Subhi T. Alshammari, Yousef Nasif R. Alshammari, Abdulaziz Sael M. Alshammari, Maisa Hamad F. Alanazi, Abdulelah Abdulrhman F. Alzammam, Muharib Mana M. Alshammari, Slwa Khaled Abu Asyah, Aseel Jamal Alzuhayri, Mushref Saeid Alshammari
IJMDC. 2019; 3(3): 229-233
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1542576396
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination toward breast cancer among female students at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah Nasser Alomair, Dania Ghazi Felemban, Mohannad Sami Felemban, Jameel Abdullah Awadain, Ammar Saud Altowairqi, Nawaf Fawzan Alfawzan, Fatimah Mohammed Almazayen, Abdulrahman Jalwi Korkoman, Nawaf Saad Alrusayyis
IJMDC. 2020; 4(2): 429-434
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576668182
Cited : 8 times [Click to see citing articles]

Population awareness about rheumatoid arthritis in Jazan region, Saudi Arabia
Ahmad Ali Hazzazi, Mohssen Hassen Ageeli, Ahmed Ali Muyidi, Abdulaziz Mohammad Abulgasim, Abdullah Ahmad Yateemi, Nabil Alhakami
IJMDC. 2020; 4(3): 668-675
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1576010943
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

Prevalence and factors associated with depression among health care workers in National Guard Hospital in Riyadh, KSA
Noor Mohammad AlFahhad
IJMDC. 2018; 2(September 2018): 92-96
» Abstract » doi: 10.24911/IJMDC.51-1526306040
Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

About International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries

Contact Information

How to cite this article