(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) To increase autism awareness in the UAE the Autism Trust Foundation (ATF) on Tuesday announced its new brand and upcoming awareness programmes.
Fahed Al Sheikh and Gabby Bechara Chamat CEO of re-branding address the media on the new branding and programmes of the Autism Trust Foundation on Tuesday. — KT photo by Rahul Gajjar
According to Fahed Al Sheikh Deputy Chairman of the Autism Trust Foundation (ATF) “Thirty years ago one child in 10000 was autistic.” The problem is more of awareness and social stigma than any sudden irrational increase in the number of autism cases. Parents earlier wouldn’t admit to their child being different.
What is ASD
> Autism spectrum disorder is a range of complex neurodevelopment disorders characterised by social impairments communication difficulties restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behaviour. Autism disorder sometimes called autism or classical ASD is the most severe form of ASD.
> Occurrence among children (worldwide approximately)
> Autism now affects 1 in 68 children and 1 in 42 boys
> Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism
> Autism prevalence figures are growing
> Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the world
> Autism costs a family Dh100000 a year on average
There is no medical detection or cure for autism
> Although no official figures are available specifically for the UAE it is believed that the incidence is of a similar level and on the rise To increase autism awareness in the UAE the Autism Trust Foundation (ATF) on Tuesday announced its new brand and upcoming awareness programmes. The ATF presented a short movie featuring autistic children and adults holding up placards bearing text: ‘I may not talk but I understand’ ‘Loud noises can make me anxious’ ‘I can tell you every fact about Elvis Presley’ ‘I need understanding’.
Interestingly the ATF Dubai has invested in a robot named Noah specially designed to help in treating the children with autism and enter their world and communicate with them to help them socialise.
“We have agreed on buying the robot” Al Sheikh told Khaleej Times.
“The robot has been approved but we are waiting for development of the software autistic. And the programming needs testing. So we’re waiting and it should arrive in Dubai in maybe three to four months.”
The other revelation was the discount card — ‘ATF Unity Card’ — for children diagnosed with autism from around the world to submit their paintings for a chance to win prizes.
The card is also for those pursuing autism-related vocational courses from leading universities in the UAE to have their tuition fees paid by the foundation. These ATF Unity Cards will be sold to individuals and coporates. The cards cost Dh300 and will enable discounts at outlets running a programme called ‘Live and Play In My World’.
The ATF doesn’t operate on donations it’s all funded by Al Sheikh family. “We don’t have an issue raising funds” said Al Sheikh. “We have an issue raising awareness” he told the media.
The ATF Dubai centre in Silicon Oasis has 32 children with autism.
They don’t charge a fee. And unlike some other institutions not equipped to deal with older children and adults with autism at the ATF there is no cap on the age or the severity of the autism case.
nivritikhaleejtimes.com