Dr Wid Hussain Daghustani, Coordinator of the Learning and Developmental Disabilities Programme at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at Arabian Gulf University (AGU), presented the results of research that she conducted in the fields of disability and autism within contemporary contexts, in an academic lecture attended by a number of students and academics at the British University of Bahrain.

During the lecture, Dr Daghustani reviewed the latest disability research in the region, focusing on enhancing students’ understanding of autism and motivating them to work on research that serves special education in the region. She cited her own specialised studies on the media and the medical model of disability and autism in females, sharing aspects of her practical experience in the Gulf community.

She explained that raising autism awareness is a priority in Gulf societies, pointing out the importance of enhancing scientific and educational understanding among students and specialists in the field of special education to enable them to deal effectively with the challenges associated with this disorder.

It is worth noting that Dr Daghustani is one of the most prominent experts in the field of learning and developmental disabilities, and has published ample research that highlights special education issues and ways to improve the support provided to groups with special needs in the region.