Facts and statistics

There are no specific population-based studies to assess the prevalence of autism amongst the different age groups in Qatar. Statistical figures obtained from those who are receiving autism-specific services are biased by the fact that it includes only those who have a severe phenotype at the time of the survey. Accuracy in ascertainment is also substandard due to decreased awareness amongst the public and the health-care professionals for the disorder.

There are no specific reasons to believe that Qatar is different from the rest of the world and thus the prevalence will be similar to other countries with more detailed ascertainment process. We expect that a prevalence figure of 1 out of 90 is close to accuracy, awaiting confirmation by well designed epidemiologic studies.