The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi accredits 8 specialized centers to diagnose autism spectrum disorder
ABU DHABI, 2nd April / WAM / The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, the regulatory body for the health care sector in the emirate, has approved eight specialized centers for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder distributed across Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Al Dhafra region, in a qualitative step aimed at facilitating children and their families’ access to accurate and rapid diagnostic services within an integrated health care system.
The accreditation of the centers coincided with World Autism Day, which falls on April 2 of each year, as an emphasis on unifying diagnostic paths and reducing waiting periods, as they are committed to setting the initial evaluation date within 14 days, which accelerates the start of early intervention and improves results, while it receives cases through direct booking or referrals within coordinated paths that include “healthy child” programs, nurseries, schools, and health care facilities, in a way that enhances early detection and ensures comprehensive access.
The centers for diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are distributed among the American Psychiatric and Neurological Center, Burjeel Medical City, the Child Development Center – Mauj of the NMC Group, the Sakina Center for Children, and the Burjeel Royal Hospital, while the city of Al Ain includes the American Psychiatric and Neurological Center, the Sakina Center for Children, and the Burjeel Royal Hospital, in addition to Al Dhanna Hospital in the Al Dhafra region.
These centers operate in accordance with the Autism Spectrum Disorder Care Management Standard issued by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, which specifies requirements based on scientific evidence, including early detection, multidisciplinary assessment, identifying needs, preparing individual care plans, in addition to referral for early intervention and ongoing follow-up.
Her Excellency Dr. Faiza Al Yafei, Executive Director of the Healthcare Quality Sector at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, confirmed that the accreditation of these centers constitutes a qualitative leap in accelerating the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and unifying its paths across the emirate, ensuring clarity in the treatment journey for families and reducing waiting periods, noting that early intervention is an essential pillar in improving children’s development opportunities, and that this model enables families to access the appropriate support at the right time within an integrated and specialized care system based on quality and ease of access to services.
The accreditation of these centers came after a comprehensive evaluation process based on precise criteria covering governance, staff competency, clinical pathways, facility environment, family involvement, data systems, and quality assurance, ensuring the provision of sustainable and highly efficient health services.
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