Beyond awareness: A call for mandatory national autism training in Qatar
Qatar should require public and private-sector employees who deal directly with the public to undergo specialised training in interacting with people with autism, Qatari expert Moudi al-Hajri has said...
Qatari autism expert Moudi al-Hajri has called for mandatory national training for public and private sector employees who interact with the public to better understand and support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Al-Hajri, a consultant in therapeutic and community nutrition, made the suggestion in an exclusive interview with Gulf Times, noting that the growing visibility of people with ASD in schools, universities, and workplaces necessitates better prepared frontline employees.
The expert emphasized that current general awareness campaigns are insufficient and that structured, practical training is essential. Al-Hajri explained that autism manifests in various ways and can be challenging to identify, leading to misunderstandings or inappropriate responses from untrained staff. This could create stressful situations for individuals with ASD, who should enjoy the same rights as everyone else to study, work, shop, travel, and participate in community activities.
Al-Hajri proposed a nationwide training program for frontline workers such as receptionists, airport personnel, and school staff to equip them with the skills to communicate effectively and respectfully with people who have autism. She believes that enhancing institutional understanding of autism will not only foster inclusion but also improve service quality and enable better independent participation in society by those on the spectrum.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
