Brief report: Prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders in the Sultanate of Oman.

Teams visited every region of Oman. They screened kids for autism. They used DSM-IV-TR rules and the CARS checklist.

The survey covered hospitals, schools, and health centers. Parents answered questions. Doctors observed the children.

Only 1.the children out of every 10,000 had ASD. Boys showed up more than girls. Poor families had the highest rates.

These numbers sit far below world averages. The authors warn many cases are missed, especially among girls.

Pillay et al. (2021) saw the same gap in South Africa. Their schools found only a large share of kids with ASD. Both studies blame under-identification, not low true rates.

Fullana et al. (2007) painted a different picture in the UK. South Wales valleys logged 61 cases per 10,000—forty times Oman’s count. The UK used wider criteria and better services, showing how method and money change the tally.

Root et al. (2017) add a twist. Prospective screening in the US catches more girls and milder cases than clinic referrals. Oman’s low girl count may mirror this bias—girls with quiet symptoms stay hidden without active outreach.

If you serve Arabic-speaking families, expect missed diagnoses. Screen girls and low-income kids extra carefully. Push for Arabic tools like the Egyptian SPD questionnaire and share parent-friendly checklists. Your early catch can open doors that country-wide numbers still leave closed.