Epidemiological study of developmental and behavioural disorders in three year old children: A UAE study

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and nature of developmental and behavioural disorders among 3-year old UAE national children. From a representative random sample of 2000 houses, 694 households with 3-year old children were included in the study. As per Denver Developmental Screening Test, 8.4% of the sample surveyed had global developmental delay and 9.9% had language delay. On Autism Screening Questionnaire, 0.58% was found to have significant autistic features. 10.5% of children were found to have behavioural problems as per Child Behaviour Checklist. A number of risk factors were identified; some of them unique to this soci-ocultural context. None of the children identified through the survey had been previously diagnosed to have such problems, thus missing opportunities for early intervention. This is the first comprehensive epidemiological study of developmental problems in this region and provides a basis for the initiation and development of appropriate services.