The Ministry of Health (MOH) represented by the Mental Health Section of the non-Communicable Diseases Department organized today (Sunday) a training workshop on using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) tool. The event was held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Yahya Al Mawali, Undersecretary for the Ministry of Social Development at Muscat Holiday Hotel.

The three-day workshop includes several work papers presented by experts in the field of ASD coming from United State of America’s May institute- Boston to train doctors on the clinical skills and the best methods in diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using ADOS. Around 50 adult Psychiatrists and Psychologists from the Sultanate different Governorates participated in this workshop.

The training workshop was organized with the purpose of developing Psychiatrists skills in using tools of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and working on enhancing mental healthcare services for children and adults as pointed out by Dr. Saeed Al Lamki, Director General of Primary Health Care in the opening speech. 

According to the global statistics, the Autism cases in the Sultanate reached (1/150 case) in 2000, and (1/68) case in 2015. The 2015 statistics indicate that the 474 diagnosed cases in Al Masarah hospital include 106 new cases, 313 regular follow up cases, and 55 unspecified cases. The cases in the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) reached 800. Although these figures are estimated because of unavailability of a national record, it is expected that the cases will be increasing by time.

Dr. Ralph Sperry, Chief Operator Officer of the National Autism Center- May Institute reviewed in his welcoming speech the most significant working papers that will be presented in the training workshop and highlighted the diagnostic tool (ADOS) and certification policy.

Later, Dr. Amira Al Raidan, Head of Mental Health Section reviewed the early screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders in the Sultanate using M-CHAT and stressed on the importance of ASD early detection.