Dubai: Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai Autism Centre has launched its 19th annual Autism Awareness Campaign. The month-long initiative, which began on World Autism Awareness Day, aims to bolster societal support and inclusion for individuals with autism.
According to Emirates News Agency, Hisham Abdullah Al Qassim, Chairman of the Dubai Autism Centre, highlighted that this year's campaign aligns with the 'Year of the Community,' an initiative announced by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The campaign's objective is to foster an inclusive society that embraces all its segments. Al Qassim called for comprehensive collaboration across all sectors to support and empower people with autism, ensuring their integration into society and enabling them to contribute to sustainable development.
Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), expressed his support for the campaign, aligning it with national efforts to integrate people of determination into society. He emphasized the importance of creating an inclusive environment that ensures empowerment and a decent life for people of determination and their families, in line with the National Policy for Empowering People of Determination and the 'My Community... A City for Everyone' initiative.
Mohammed Al Emadi, Director-General of the Dubai Autism Centre, stressed the societal responsibility to support individuals with autism. He underscored the campaign's role in raising awareness about autism's characteristics and challenges, contributing to an inclusive environment that supports individuals with autism in achieving their full potential.
The campaign includes various events and activities, such as illuminating iconic landmarks in Dubai in blue for World Autism Awareness Day, weekly school workshops on early autism detection, and segments on Noor Dubai TV to raise awareness. The Dubai Autism Centre is also offering free early detection and comprehensive assessment sessions for children with autism and developmental disorders.
Coinciding with the campaign, the Dubai Autism Centre announced the release of a new book, 'Managing Behavioral Challenges in Children with Autism,' by Dr. Bassam Darwish. This guide provides practical strategies for parents, caregivers, and educators to support children with autism.
Al Emadi expressed gratitude to the campaign's sponsors and partners, including DEWA, Wasl Asset Management Group, and other key and supporting partners. He also acknowledged media backers and other contributors to the campaign's success.
On World Autism Awareness Day, landmarks worldwide are illuminated in blue. In Dubai, the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Frame, and other landmarks will light up to mark the occasion. Since its inception in 2001, the Dubai Autism Centre has been dedicated to raising autism awareness and providing integrated services for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to recent studies, autism affects one in 36 children globally.