This systematic literature review was conducted to examine the most studied neurodevelopmental disorders reported in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and explore public knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Electronic literature databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar from May 2010 to May 2022. The literature…

An overview of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the Middle East was published by Kelly and colleagues in 2016. The focus of the review was to explore clinical services, educational opportunities, and published research in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, namely the Kingdom of Bahrain, the…

The aim was to investigate the mediating role of emotional regulation and emotional expression in the relationship between autistic traits and empathy in Saudi students. Participants were undergraduate students at Umm Al-Qura University. A total of 398 questionnaires were sent out, and 260 valid questionnaires were received. Descriptive statistics…

Augmented reality (AR) has been shown to have a positive impact on children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) because it can effectively simulate the real environment through interactive experiences created by the integration of digital elements with the outside world. This research aimed to verify the effectiveness of a training program based…

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is on the rise in Saudi Arabia, and the field of Special Education is currently working to expand awareness about ASD as well as evidence-based intervention availability in the country. The Social Stories Intervention has been shown to have positive results in work with children with ASD in other countries, however…

The prevalence of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is increasing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and around the world. In school, students with ASD face academic challenges, specifically in reading. Targeted evidence-based practices (EBPs) are needed to support reading development for students with ASD. To date, limited research…

This study investigated the perceptions of teachers of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) of special education transition services, specifically transition planning in Saudi Arabia. Two different study populations were recruited and asked to fill a questionnaire. The researcher used descriptive (frequency), inferential (ANOVA [n = 357]…

The current educational settings for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in Saudi Arabia consist of special institutions for students with intellectual disabilities and special classrooms within public schools. The Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia is interested in full inclusion for students with ASD because of the social,…

In response to the demand for adopting a social justice system to manage students' challenging behaviors, many countries are implementing positive behavior support (PBS) programs at the school level. However, the use of PBS in Saudi Arabian schools is still a goal rather than reality. It is strongly evident that school-wide PBS can be applicable…

In Saudi Arabia, the autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise, and the government is committed to improving nationwide special education services through legislative measures aimed at enhancing the flexibility of inclusion for students with ASD within school settings. However, students with ASD often encounter social challenges, especially in…

Physical exercises (PEs) are one of the most used approaches by researchers to treat restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and enhance on-task behaviors in students with high-functioning Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although PEs is recognized as Evidence-based Practices (EBPs) for students with ASD in the United States of America (USA)…

Parents of children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often struggle to find appropriate educational and behavioural resources to support their children. These resources are particularly lacking in countries with fewer resources overall. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a culturally appropriate training program…

This comprehensive study delves into the family quality of life (FQOL) of caregivers in Saudi Arabia, focusing on those caring for individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and other disabilities and those without any disabilities. Employing the Arabic version of the Beach Center FQOL Scale, the research encompasses a diverse group of…

It remains unknown to what extent mothers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are stigmatized. Children with ASD require special care to increase their attention and master the necessary motor and behavioural skills. In most society, particularly Middle East and Africa, mothers are largely the care providers for children while their…

In the last decade, inclusive education (IE) has become a trending topic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This small-scale, qualitative Saudi study reports on how some teachers view IE in their country and whether students with a disability (autism) could be educated in mainstream schools. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and…