A field study conducted by a team of doctors from the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), in collaboration with public hospitals and the Primary Health Care Department at the Ministry of Health, has revealed that the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among preschool children aged three to six years is 2.6%. This rate aligns with figures reported in high-income countries and is higher among males than females.

The study, a collaborative effort involving the Bahrain Association for Intellectual Disability, the National Institute for Disabled, and the research team, concluded that the prevalence rate is considered "acceptable" and consistent with similar studies conducted internationally.

The sample consisted of 500 children aged three to six (250 males and 250 females) visiting health centres for routine checkups. There were 125 participants from each governorate across eight total health centres (two per governorate), during August and September 2025.

Interviews were conducted by teachers from Al-Wafa Centre for Autism, who were trained to utilise tools such as the initial data form and the M-CHAT-R test for screening autism symptoms.

The second phase of the study examined 232 children diagnosed with ASD at the Children and Adolescent Unit at the Psychiatric Hospital over the course of a year. Researchers reviewed medical records, assessed for intellectual disabilities and ADHD, and evaluated the impact of autism on families.

Findings indicated that 79% of children with ASD also had intellectual disabilities, while 17.2% were diagnosed with ADHD. The family burden was moderate to severe in 38% of cases, whereas 20% experienced no significant impact.

Dr Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, Professor of Psychiatry at AGU and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, commented, "This study is important for accurately documenting ASD prevalence rates and understanding associated developmental disorders, filling a critical knowledge gap. These findings will assist relevant authorities in the Kingdom with planning and delivering appropriate health, educational, and social services to children in the future."

The research team included Dr Ahmed Malallah Al-Ansari, Dr Haitham Jahrami, Dr Muna Al-Mahdi, Dr Nabil Sulaiman, Dr Randa Rabhi Hamada, Dr Mohammed Al-Faqih, Dr Raja Hejair, Dr Iman Haji, and Dr Mohammed Khalid Al-Midfa.