Faseeh Community Initiative: The Cost of Delayed Detection of Language Disorders in Saudi Arabia Reaches 1.8 Million SAR per Individual, and Early Intervention Yields a Return of 8 SAR for Every 1 SAR Spent!
January 25, 2025
The Faseeh initiative, in partnership between the Abdulqader Al Muhaidib Community Foundation and Ynmo, revealed that the lifetime cost of language disorders per individual could reach up to 1.8 million Saudi riyals in the absence of early intervention, while the total cost of these disorders in Saudi Arabia reaches approximately 190 billion Saudi riyals for all affected individuals, who are estimated at 7% of newborns in the Kingdom.
What is noteworthy is the positive impact achieved by investing in early detection and intervention programs, as it generates an economic return of up to 8 riyals for every riyal spent. Because the role of the Faseeh initiative is to improve the quality of children's lives and reduce the economic and financial costs for families, the initiative provided early detection and intervention services for free via the Ynmo Tifli app, which enabled reaching more than 10,000 children aged (8 months - 3 years) across various regions of Saudi Arabia, and made it easier for families from diverse backgrounds to obtain specialized support.
This high cost is due to several factors, most notably:
• Poor educational opportunities: where children face difficulties in academic achievement, increasing the need for special education programs. • Decreased job opportunities: weak communication skills reduce opportunities to obtain suitable jobs and negatively affect lifetime income. • Reliance on social care: an increasing need for government support and rehabilitation services. • Psychological and social burdens: an increase in psychological and social problems, leading to additional costs for treatment and family support.
The initiative relied on a research team from elite Saudi and international universities, which enhanced the credibility of the study's findings regarding the economic impact of language disorders. The results showed that early intervention during the first three years reduces exorbitant costs and achieves significant economic returns.
The initiative aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 in supporting early childhood and developing human capital, recommending the adoption of national policies for early detection, expanding intervention programs, and intensifying community awareness campaigns.
In conclusion, the Faseeh initiative highlights that language disorders represent an economic and societal challenge requiring comprehensive strategies to ensure a more prosperous future for children and society.
Originally published in Arabic. This English version was produced with AI-assisted translation; the Arabic original remains the reference.
