{
  "id": 11131401,
  "title": "HBKU engages stakeholders in survey on autism, developmental disability services",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/hbku-engages-stakeholders-in-survey-on-autism-developmental",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-01T07:04:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Peninsula Qatar",
    "slug": "the-peninsula-qatar",
    "url": "https://thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/01/10/2026/hbku-engages-stakeholders-in-survey-on-autism-developmental-disability-services"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Doha, Qatar - Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) has convened stakeholders to help shape the National Survey on Diagnostic and Intervention Services for Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities in Qatar. This effort, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), aims to gather comprehensive data on autism services across the country.\n\nHBKU's partnership with MoPH supports the National Autism Action Plan (NAP), which seeks to strengthen services, address gaps, and improve healthcare accessibility for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families. The survey, expected to cover over 70 healthcare facilities nationwide over the next six months, will inform the best approach for its implementation.\n\nDr. Salma Alkaabi, Advisor to the Minister of Public Health and lead of the autism action plan, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and support for individuals with ASD during the session's opening presentation. She emphasized the plan's goal of building a more inclusive system for individuals with ASD and their families.\n\nResearchers from across HBU, including Dr. Hira Amin from the College of Public Policy, Sabika Shaban from the College of Islamic Studies, and Dr. Ghanimeh El-Taweel from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, contributed their expertise to the survey. Dr. Amin, as Lead Project Investigator, stressed HBKU's commitment to multidisciplinary research that considers autism and developmental disabilities from various perspectives, including policy, society, inclusion, and national development.\n\nThe collaboration forms part of HBKU's growing autism research portfolio, which spans research on autism prevalence, diagnosis, and intervention, as well as technology-focused work through the A-Sense Centre of Excellence.",
  "summary": "<p>Doha, Qatar: Building a comprehensive picture of autism diagnostic and intervention facilities across Qatar requires a clear understanding of the services available across the country. Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), convened stakeholders in order to help shape and inform the various phases of the National Survey on Diagnostic…",
  "key_points": [
    "HBKU partners with MoPH for autism survey.",
    "Survey to cover 70+ facilities over six months.",
    "Researchers from HBU contribute multidisciplinary expertise."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}