Autism Spectrum Disorder Research in the Gulf Region: A Systematic Review of Studies Published Between 2000 and 2025

Abstract

An increasing number of children and young people are identified today with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, and the burden of the condition is far from being fully understood. This systematic review aims to summarize the published peer-reviewed literature on prevalence rates, risk factors, diagnostic procedures, interventions and outcomes of services for children with ASD in the six GCC countries from 2000 to 2025. In accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, 847 records were screened in four databases, and 52 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings show that the prevalence in the community, up to 1.14% in Qatar and up to 2.51% in Saudi Arabia, significantly exceeds the official government estimates, with cultural stigma and delayed diagnosis, and lack of national prevalence monitoring, playing a major role. Regional genetic architectures and advanced parental age were constant aetiological risk factors. Diagnostic delay is very common, there are few validated Arabic-language questionnaires and tools, and private-sector services are fragmented and located in urban settings. Kuwait is totally ignored in the empirical literature. The review advocates for national ASD Registries, culturally appropriate diagnostic tools, increased provision of services by the public sector and continued investment in inclusive teacher education across the region.