World Autism Awareness Day: Dubai to host free screenings during month-long awareness campaign

On World Autism Awareness Day, landmarks around the world light up blue to honor the day. As part of the 18th annual autism awareness campaign, several iconic landmarks in Dubai will be illuminated in blue, including Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library, Global Village and Ain Dubai.

Hisham Abdullah Al Qassim, President of Dubai Autism Centre, said: “As part of global efforts to promote autism awareness, the UAE joins the global community in celebrating World Autism Awareness Day. . Our commitment is reflected in our notable achievements in empowering determined people and helping them become well-rounded and valuable members of our society. These achievements reflect the priority that our wise leadership places on the inclusion of determined people, the protection of their rights and the recognition of their vital role in achieving the sustainable development goals.”

Commenting on the objectives of the campaign, Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of Dubai Autism Centre, said: “In line with Dubai Social Agenda 33 launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, under the theme ‘Family: The Foundation of Our Nation’, this year’s campaign emphasizes the importance of building stronger bonds between parents and children on the autism spectrum.”

Al Emadi also stated that the campaign includes a variety of events and activities to promote awareness, particularly Ramadan awareness nights, workshops for ordinary teachers and educational sessions for public and private sector organizations to create more environment-friendly environments. autism and build a more inclusive world. and welcoming community for all.

In an effort for early intervention, Al Emadi also said that the campaign will include free early autism screenings and comprehensive assessments of people with autism and developmental disorders.

Al Emadi explained that the campaign will use media, cinemas and a network of more than 2,000 digital screens in public spaces in the UAE, including ENOC gas stations, Union Coops, Géant and Aswaaq supermarkets and shopping malls.

As part of the campaign, the Dubai Autism Center, in cooperation with the Dubai Community Development Authority, is organizing a Ramadan evening on April 4 that will include panel discussions. Topics that will be addressed include the importance of family support and ways to strengthen parents’ relationships with their children with autism and improve their belief and pride in their abilities. The event, to be held at Al Khawaneej Majlis in the presence of families of people with autism, government officials and representatives of POD centres, will include competitions, raffles and prizes.

Under the umbrella of the campaign, the Center will also organize a series of awareness and training workshops to educate employees of private schools in Dubai on the basic approach to dealing with students with autism, in accordance with legislation, procedures and relevant systems.

The Dubai Autism Center was established in 2001 by a decree of the Ruler of Dubai as a non-profit Emirati organization in the United Arab Emirates whose objective is to provide integrated consultancy, educational and therapeutic services specialized in the field of spectrum disorder autistic (ASD). Located in the Al Garhoud area, the facility includes 40 classrooms, 22 motor therapy clinics, 18 speech therapy clinics, three sensory therapy rooms and a variety of laboratories and medical clinics designed in accordance with the latest international standards to provide an appropriate educational environment. for children with autism.