This research report was commissioned by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), an initiative of the Qatar Foundation, to address how to strengthen the education pillar of the Qatar National Autism Plan 2017-2021 and to examine how Qatar can best meet the educational needs of pupils with autism. CDC staff and parents are proud to have participated in this report as a focus group. 

Qatar Foundation’s World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) hosted a forum in November 2016 on Autism.  This must-read report provides a comprehensive overview of global trends in ASD, and provides three overarching policy recommendations to improve the support for children with ASD, their families, and their communities. It also highlights the critical need for collaboration between health, education, and social sectors as well as the pressing need for evidence-based therapies. The Chair of this forum, Dr. Kerim Munir; and the Deputy Chair, Dr. Muhammad Waqar Azeem; visited CDC on April 18, 2016 along with co-authors Tara Lavelle and David Helm. We are honored to have contributed to this amazing effort.