Being objective
I’m really happy for this child (‘Autistic child shows signs of reversal’, Gulf News, March 8). I read about a study before where early intervention reversed the condition, but I wondered was it really the autistic spectrum? Could it be something else? Usually these conditions present themselves from the beginning. I don’t know why, but I felt like this article was more like advertising the centre. At the cost mentioned, I wonder how many parents can afford this and how many children will stay with the condition if the condition is possible to reverse? Also, I think it would be beneficial to mention how other children are reacting to this treatment because you can’t conclude based on one isolated case. I’m not being negative, just objective. The subject is of interest to me, and I even researched it for one of my classes in college.
From Ms Yana
Dubai
Website comment
Don’t trust it
As a father of an autistic child, I do realise how encouraging this news is. But, at the same time, I am careful to take the success of stepping stones at healthcare facilities seriously after hearing success stories of different organisations. I also took my son there, but there was no remarkable improvement. Later, I realised the news of success in treating autism is a popular newspaper story, but it tends to be nothing but a promotional campaign in favour of that particular organisation that deals with autistic children. I hope this report is not to promote the organisation.
From Mr Dewan
Abu Dhabi
Website comment
In pursuit of fairness and journalistic transparency, the readers’ concerns were raised by the newspaper’s reporter with the institute. According to Heba Bahsoun, director of special education and inclusion at Stepping Stones for Autism Spectrum Disorders, mentioned in the report, the child in question was duly tested and showed all symptoms that fall into the parameter of moderate autism. She said that early intervention at the age of three helped to reverse some of the symptoms and helped him get into the ‘no to mild’ symptoms category.
Gulf News would not sensationalise or run commercialised content as an article meant to serve public interest. The report was not done to promote the facility, but to throw light on a success story that could serve to help others. However, we do take the observations onboard.
Gulf News
Children’s corner
I remember an educational supplement in Gulf News, wherein people could send in images of paintings or artwork done by their children. This would be published in the last page of the supplement. When I tried to look for it recently, I found that it wasn’t there anymore. Has it been discontinued? Is there another way to publish children’s work in Gulf News?
From Ms Anshu Makin
Dubai
Hotline call
The educational supplement in question has been stopped and its content merged with the main newspaper. This was done to streamline reader offering and enhance qualitative experience. However, that has resulted in the loss of a section to run art work by young children. Currently, we have no new print location to post it. However, you can message it to us and we will put it up on our Facebook page.
Gulf News
Editor’s note: Would you like to raise a query or concern with the newspaper? Is there an issue that you believe needs to be addressed? Something the paper is not doing right or not effectively enough. Write to us at readers@gulfnews.com
