Tackling autism in the Middle East

[Jefferson23]

Treatment for autism in the region has progressed, but lack of awareness and support services remains a challenge.



Doha, Qatar - In many ways, it resembles a normal classroom - teachers, students, and all the materials you would expect at a school. Subjects include music and physical education, with some students studying additional topics such as computer science and Islamic law.

But this classroom is somewhat different. Class sizes are smaller, with one teacher for every two students. The students themselves are a bit different, too. Children at the Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs in Qatar have autism, a developmental disorder characterised by various abnormal behaviours.

"A lot of professionals say 'an autistic child'. Here, we say a 'child with autism'," said Abdullah Itani, a trainer at the centre. "The child comes first."

The hallmarks of autism are an impaired ability to communicate and socialise, and a narrow range of repetitive behaviours and activities.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/04/tackling-autism-middle-east-20144118156804789.html