Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has launched ‘Autism-Friendly Hospital Initiative (AFHI)’, focused on cultivating a more inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The program is designed to address the challenges faced by children with ASD during medical visits, including sensory overload, communication difficulties, and anxiety that may impact their care.
Dr. Finza Latif Senior Attending Physician and Fellowship Program Director – Sidra Medicine
“We introduced this initiative to address the challenges children with ASD face in health care. Between 2023 and 2024, we saw a 14 percent increase in admissions, highlighting the growing need for tailored support. Sensory overload, communication barriers, and anxiety can make medical visits overwhelming. By creating an autism-friendly environment and offering specialized support, we aim to reduce these barriers and ensure every child receives the care they need.”
Autism Support Checklist: Parents share crucial information on their child’s sensory and communication needs, which becomes part of the child’s medical record, ensuring healthcare providers are fully prepared.
Sensory and Communication Tools: The program provides sensory toolkits and communication aids such as picture boards and apps to help children with language deficits communicate more effectively.
Training for Healthcare Providers: Sidra Medicine has launched online and face-to-face training for staff, including clinicians, nurses, and support staff, ensuring that they are equipped to provide autism-friendly care.
Autism Program Specialist: The Autism Program Specialist coordinates care and staff education. This guarantees that every child receives the support they need.
Prof Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair of Department of Psychiatry at Sidra Medicine, stated that, “We are very proud of the initiatives we have in place to make our services more accessible for children with ASD. From designated blood draw days with trained phlebotomists to sensory toolkits and fast-track pharmacy services, every step is designed to reduce stress and improve their experience. We have even introduced dedicated parking to make hospital visits easier for families. Our goal is to create a truly supportive and inclusive environment for every child and their family coming to Sidra Medicine for care.”
The AFHI team at Sidra Medicine is led by Prof Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Dr. Finza Latif, Dr. Alia Satti and Enas Hasab El Naby (Program Specialist). The initiative builds on the successful model developed by Boston Medical Centre.
Sidra Medicine remains dedicated to supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by providing them with specialized care. Its Developmental Pediatrics Clinic provides tailored assessments and interventions, guided by a multidisciplinary team.
Furthermore, the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) deliver expert care for mental health conditions associated with ASD, such as anxiety and depression, fostering a holistic approach to the child’s overall well-being.
