Objectives The rising prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) globally and in Saudi Arabia poses substantial challenges for patients and caregivers. This study investigated the initial presentation, associated comorbidities, and risk factors of ASD in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia.Methods This questionnaire-based case-control study included 100 children/adolescents with ASD and 112 age-matched controls from Makkah and Jeddah. Sociodemographic, clinical, and environmental factors potentially associated with ASD were collected and analyzed by bivariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results The mean age (+/- SD) was 8.85 +/- 3.13 years in the ASD group and 7.89 +/- 3.16 years in controls, with no significant difference (p = 0.35). Males were significantly more frequent among ASD patients (p = 0.000). The median age at ASD diagnosis was 3 years, while the median age at joining ASD care center was 5 years. The most common initial presentation was a combination of delayed speech, poor eye contact, and stereotypic behavior, reported in 49% of ASD patients. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent comorbidity, affecting 22% of cases. Multivariate logistic regression identified male gender, family history of ASD, lack of maternal folic acid intake during pregnancy, traumatic events during pregnancy, maternal chronic illness before or during pregnancy, and advanced paternal age at conception as the most significant independent risk factors. Other factors significant in bivariate analysis lost significance after adjustment.Conclusions This study is one of few comprehensive investigations evaluating a wide-range of potential ASD risk factors. The findings highlight potentially modifiable environmental and clinical factors that can guide local awareness programs and preventive strategies. Larger national and international cohort studies are needed to elucidate underlying risk factors of ASD and support appropriate prevention for disorders with no currently existent definitive/effective treatment.
Objectives This study examined the relationship between perceived overdependence reinforcement (POR) and adaptive functioning deficits among children and adolescents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, focusing on daily living skill avoidance (DLSA) and task initiation deficits (TID). It further tested learned helplessness (LH) as a mediating mechanism grounded in social learning and learned helplessness theories.Methods A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed. Data were collected from 420 children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities aged 10-18 years enrolled in special education institutions in Pakistan. Researcher-developed Likert-type scales were used to measure POR, LH, DLSA, and TID. Data were analyzed using SPSS and AMOS. Structural equation modeling was used to test direct and indirect relationships.Results Findings indicated that POR significantly predicted LH, DLSA, and TID. LH also showed strong positive associations with both adaptive functioning deficits. Mediation analysis revealed that LH significantly mediated the relationships between POR and both DLSA and TID, indicating that overdependence reinforcement primarily operates through internalized helplessness beliefs.Conclusions The study concludes that dependency-reinforcing environments contribute to reduced autonomy in children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities through LH processes. Interventions should focus on reducing over-assistance and promoting guided independence to strengthen self-efficacy and adaptive functioning.
Background Autistic youth and young adults often face barriers in developing their self-determination. Stakeholders' perceptions of self-determination in autistic youth are often difficult to define and interpret in everyday contexts, despite the importance of self-determination for developmental outcomes. We aimed to explore parents' perspectives on the expression of their autistic children's self-determination.Method A qualitative descriptive design was used, interviewing 22 parents/caregivers of autistic youth. The content was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results Family members reported that their children exhibited some strengths related to self-determination, including making decisions, expressing their preferences, setting goals, and recognizing their strengths and areas for growth. They also expressed challenges, such as difficulties with executive functioning, initiating actions, solving problems, adapting to contingencies, planning, and believing in themselves.Conclusions Parents/caregivers clearly identify the strengths and support needs of their autistic children, and their specific support needs must be considered when developing interventions, including their support in executive functioning. Also, professionals should support families in helping their children develop self-determination during the transition to adulthood.
The development of individualized education programs (IEPs) requires family involvement before, during, and after the formulation of the IEP. Therefore, family-professional partnership is essential in the IEP development process. This study investigated the experiences and collaboration between educators and parents during the IEP development process in Saudi Arabia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 parents and teachers. The Sunshine Model was used to organize the findings. The results revealed that each element of the Sunshine Model was mentioned by both teachers and parents as present or absent in the partnership. The findings underscore the necessity for a robust accountability mechanism to ensure that parents can actively participate as full and equal team members before, during, and after the development of the IEP.
Objectives To study awareness, routines, and knowledge of food safety among direct support personnel and to assess the impact of food safety lecture in the short and long term.Methods A group of 10 direct support personnel at a new group home for people with intellectual disability participated in the lecture. The lecture included authentic cases, facts and authoritative information. Three surveys were administered, one before, one immediately after the lecture, and one 9 months post-lecture.Results Daily food safety routines of the participants were poor before the intervention. Food safety education in form of a single lecture increased the awareness of food poisoning risks but in some ways declined shortly after. Participants retained information regarding food handling risks presented as authentic case facts and authoritative information to a higher extent. On the long-term the food safety routines were slightly influenced by the lecture.Conclusion To success with food safety education, authentical cases increase the awareness more in the long term than theoretical information. Food-safety routines are more resistant to change with time being a critical factor. Repetitive education is needed for knowledge to sustain. Further and more extended studies are needed to develop tailored education for this group of professionals.
Objectives: Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) require structured assessment and follow-up care. As Qatar's community learning disability services develop, standardized outcome measures are essential. The Health of the Nation Outcomes Scales for people with Learning Disabilities (HoNOS-LD) is a global instrument utilized to comprehensively assess the health and social outcomes of this population. This study aims to determine the clinical profiles of adults with ID in Qatar using the HoNOS-LD tool, identifying key factors contributing to the healthcare demands of this vulnerable group. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 133 patients (ages 18 to 65) receiving community outreach services from the Community Learning Disability Team at Hamad Medical Corporation, Mental Health Services, Doha, Qatar. Demographic and clinical data were extracted from electronic records. Researchers applied descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and linear regression to analyze the HoNOS-LD scores. Results: The mean total HoNOS-LD score was 20 (SD = 9). Higher scores correlated significantly with increased ID severity (p < 0.001). Other variables, including gender, nationality, autism diagnosis, and challenging behavior, lacked statistical significance. Regression analysis confirmed that ID severity was the sole demographic predictor of total HoNOS scores (B = 3.876, p < 0.001). Furthermore, item-level analysis revealed that the greatest clinical challenges involved occupational engagement, daily living skills, and interpersonal social relationships. Conclusions: This study provides a structured assessment of the complex health and behavioral needs of adults with ID in Qatar using the HoNOS-LD framework. ID severity emerged as the primary determinant of overall patient outcome scores, offering important insights to inform future patient care planning.
