Autism in Saudi Arabia: Present Realities and Future Challenges
Main Article Content
Keywords
Autism, disability, special needs, culture, service, Kingdom of Saudi
Abstract
Despite improvements in the services provided to individuals with autism, some third world countries continue to struggle to provide services to individuals with autism. In this paper, the impact of culture on people’s understanding of autism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is highlighted, as well as how its influence impacts the provision of necessary supports needed by individuals with autism. Using a historical context, the paper outlines the unique challenges presented by the culture and how these contribute to difficulties government agencies encounter in providing children with autism and their families with services.
Autism in Saudi Arabia: Present Realities and Future Challenges by Mona F. Sulaimani & Dianne M. Gut is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Based on a work at https://rdsjournal.org. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.rds.hawaii.edu.
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Mona F Sulaimani, Ohio University, Curriculum & Instruction Department of Teacher Education, Special Education
Mona F Sulaimani, PhD, Ohio University, Curriculum & Instruction Department of Teacher Education, Special Education. She holds a B.S. in Art Psychology from King Abdul-Aziz University; M.Ed. in Special Education - Early Childhood Intervention Specialist - from Ohio University; and Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction in Special Education from Ohio University.
Dianne M Gut, Ohio University, Patton College of Education
Dianne Gut, PhD, currently serves as the Assistant Chair of the Teacher Education Department. Her primary research interests include social and academic interventions for students with disabilities, and mentoring for preservice and in-service teachers. She holds a B.S. in Education from Cleveland State University; M.Ed. in Special Education from Notre Dame College of Ohio; and a Ph.D. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.