DOHA: In a monumental step toward advancing autism support, Qatar Foundation (QF) has launched its comprehensive 10-year strategy to address the challenges faced by people with autism.
The Qatar Foundation Autism Strategy 2025-2035 was unveiled at a significant event at Education City today, setting out a roadmap for transformative action that will amplify support for individuals with autism and their families across multiple sectors.
The strategy brings together QF’s existing efforts in education, healthcare, research, and innovation to deliver long-term, inclusive solutions. Focused on autism’s growing impact, both nationally and globally, the initiative is aligned with Qatar’s national autism agenda and showcases QF’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society where individuals with autism can thrive.
Key pillars of strategy
The Qatar Foundation Autism Strategy 2025-2035 includes ambitious targets that aim to improve outcomes for individuals with autism, ranging from early diagnosis to employment and lifelong support. Key goals for 2035 include:
• A 25% reduction in the average age at which autism is diagnosed.
• A 50% increase in the number of young people with autism participating in higher education, vocational training, or employment.
• A 50% improvement in the quality of life for families of individuals with autism.
• A 50% increase in QF-developed technology and services to support better outcomes for people with autism.Central to the strategy is the expansion of Renad Academy, a pioneering QF institution providing support for children with autism. The expansion will allow Renad Academy to serve children aged 3 to 21 years, fulfilling an urgent need in Qatar and the region. Alongside this, early autism identification and intervention measures will be implemented across QF schools.
Harnessing technology and innovationThe strategy emphasizes the critical role of technology in transforming autism care. Dr Hilal Lashuel, Research, Development and Innovation Advisor to the Chairperson of QF and Executive Director of RDI, shared the vision for integrating cutting-edge innovations to support families and enhance early intervention. He explained to Qatar Tribune, "What we’re trying to do here at Qatar Foundation is bring together all of the technology that allows us to capture these different features of autism.”
A major focus is on artificial intelligence (AI), which will be leveraged to develop tools and technologies that enable parents to monitor the progress of their children.
Dr Lashuel continued, "The idea is to develop tools and technologies that allow parents to monitor the progress of their children,” underscoring how AI can revolutionize autism care by offering personalized, data-driven insights."
Moreover, QF’s Sidra Medicine—a world-renowned women’s and children’s hospital and research center—will play a leading role in advancing genomics and precision medicine to understand the genetic factors behind autism.
Dr Khalid Fakhro, Chief Research Officer at Sidra Medicine, emphasized, "Autism is the poster child for personalized medicine because it requires individualized interventions for each child.”
He further noted, "What we’re trying to do is understand the molecular basis of autism—why does a child’s body and brain develop in a specific way that leads to neurodiversity?”
Creating an inclusive communityAs part of the strategy, QF will establish a community hub offering digital solutions and support services for families. This initiative will provide culturally relevant autism resources, counseling, and peer networks, creating an integrated support system that extends beyond education to offer a holistic approach to care. A vocational hub at Education City will also be set up, providing specialized programs and services aimed at improving employment outcomes for individuals with autism.
Matthew Campion, Director of Renad Academy, highlighted the school’s unique position in Qatar, saying, "At Renad Academy, we are the only school in Qatar that provides formal diagnosis for autism.”
He added, "Our mission is to support children currently diagnosed and, in the future, families and children who don’t yet attend school. We focus on creating an environment that celebrates the successes of our children and meets their unique needs.”
Vision for the futureThe QF Autism Strategy represents a concerted effort to provide lifelong, personalized support to individuals with autism, ensuring that no one is left behind in education, healthcare, or employment.
Dr Dena Al Thani, Associate Professor and Head of the Information and Computing Technology Division at Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s College of Science and Engineering, and Chair of QF’s Autism Task Force, emphasized the inclusive nature of the strategy.
She said, "It brings together health, education, innovation, compassion, and coordinated action to better support individuals with autism and their families.”
The strategy also recognizes the importance of integrated, multidisciplinary action to address autism across various sectors. As Dr Al Thani noted, it reflects Qatar Foundation’s unique position within the nation’s ecosystem to drive social change through its commitment to inclusion and accessibility.