BY RAYNALD C RIVERA
DOHA: The extent of prevalence of autism in Qatar is unknown due to lack of reliable data as people don’t disclose their disabilities because of social, economic and cultural barriers.
“It is very difficult to say how many people have this kind of condition in Qatar simply because the statistics are not accurate. There are lots of social, economic and cultural barriers that face persons with disabilities so many times they don’t disclose their disabilities to statistics authorities, however, we know 67 million people in the world have autism and about 10 percent have disabilities in Qatar,” Ahmed Habib, Head of Communications Awareness and Outreach of Qatar Assistive Technology Center (Mada), told The Peninsula yesterday.
Mada led the observance of the sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) yesterday at Souq Waqif.
Every year, April 2 is marked as WAAD after December 18, 2007, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution 62/139, proposed by Qatar.
Yesterday, Mada volunteers along with parents of children with disabilities gave away blue balloons and conducted information campaign on autism and what Mada can offer to help those with the condition.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disability characterised by difficulties in social interaction and communication as well as repetitive behaviour and hyperactivity. “Autism is a communication problem; sometimes those with this condition can’t speak or find it hard to organise themselves. Mada can provide them technologies to help them be part of the world much more widely and get round the barriers autism creates,” said Mada CEO David Banes.
Among the wide range of assistive technology in Mada which can be of benefit to people with autism include communication technologies, handheld devices and software that can be used in different settings, said Habib.
“There are many ways technology can help people with autism but of course technology cannot work on its own; it needs support from family and healthcare and education providers that’s why in Mada we work with different entities in Qatar to provide people with autism the support they need,” he explained.
An average of 600 people avail of Mada services annually. These services which include assessment, training and provision are all for free, added Habib.
“There are many people with autism in Qatar and sometimes we are not aware of them. One in every 88 children around the world has autism and that’s roughly the same here,” said Banes.
Recognising the importance of providing support to persons with autism, a group of parents recently formed an online support group. “Doha Autism Parents’ Group was aimed at creating a space online where parents can talk to each other so they realize they’re not alone and that there are other parents facing the same challenges. It is an online group within Facebook in which those parents can talk to each other share, their experiences on things that work for their children as well as difficulties,” said Banes.
On the importance of yesterday’s celebration, Habib said: “Today we want to provide resource, education and information to the community but as well celebrate differences and promote inclusion and greater accessibility in Qatar.”
The Peninsula
