Qatar should require public and private-sector employees who deal directly with the public to undergo specialised training in interacting with people with autism, Qatari expert Moudi al-Hajri has said.
The call comes as increasing numbers of students and graduates with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) join schools, universities and the workforce, making them more visible and active participants in everyday public life.
In an exclusive interview with Gulf Times, al-Hajri, a prominent Qatari expert and consultant in therapeutic and community nutrition, said this growing presence requires institutions to ensure that frontline employees have the knowledge and communication skills needed to provide inclusive services.
Al-Hajri highlighted the need for public and private sector service providers to better understand autism and respond appropriately to the diverse needs of people on the spectrum.
Known for her health and social awareness campaigns across national media, al-Hajri has also advocated initiatives addressing broader community wellbeing, including a national proposal to combat childhood obesity and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases. She is a regular guest on Qatar TV and other official platforms.
Al-Hajri said people with autism are increasingly becoming part of everyday community life.
“In recent years, the number of people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has increased significantly,” she said. “They are now an integral part of our schools, universities, workplaces, shopping malls, and all facets of daily life.”
This growing presence, she said, raises questions about whether employees who interact with the public have the necessary knowledge and skills to communicate appropriately with people on the spectrum.
“Many believe that dealing with individuals on the autism spectrum is simple, but the reality is vastly different,” al-Hajri said, noting that autism is not always immediately apparent and can involve a wide range of characteristics and needs that vary from one person to another.
Without adequate training, people with autism may face stressful or difficult situations because of misunderstandings or inappropriate responses from frontline staff. Al-Hajri said general awareness campaigns alone are not enough and should be complemented by structured, practical training.
“Just as employees undergo mandatory training in customer service, occupational safety, and first aid, they must also receive specialised training in interacting with individuals with autism,” she said.
Such training, she stressed, should extend beyond healthcare workers to include receptionists, public facility employees, airport personnel, bank tellers and staff at schools, universities, malls, sports clubs and other customer-facing establishments.
People with autism have the same right to study, work, shop, travel and participate in recreational activities as anyone else, al-Hajri said. Ensuring meaningful access, she added, should not rest solely on families but should be supported by institutions and the wider community.
To address the gap, al-Hajri proposed establishing a mandatory national training programme for employees in the public and private sectors. The programme would provide frontline workers with basic skills to communicate respectfully and effectively with people on the spectrum.
She said improving institutional understanding of autism would not only support inclusion but also enhance service quality and help people with autism participate more independently in society.
“Autism is no longer just a family responsibility; it is a collective community duty.”