Abu Dhabi releases ABA guidelines for autism spectrum disorder

The framework aims to integrate evidence-based practices with international standards.

Abu Dhabi’s Department of Health (DoH) has released new applied behavioural analysis (ABA) guidelines for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

According to the DoH, ABA is a research-based therapy designed to increase positive behaviours whilst reducing negative conduct in individuals with autism and other developmental disorders.

In line with this, the guidelines aim to integrate evidence-based practices with international standards, providing a comprehensive framework for ABA services.

Furthermore, the initiative is aligned with Abu Dhabi’s Comprehensive Strategy for People of Determination (PoD) 2020-2024 which seeks to shift the perception of disabilities from a medical to a societal and rights-based model.