Autism centre for adults to open in Dubai

Abu Dhabi: The first autism centre for adults in Dubai will open next week, it was announced on Tuesday during the ABILITIESMe exhibition at Adnec.

“There is no place to serve and provide care for autistic adults, who are over 16 years old. Therefore, the Doris-Duan Young Centre, which will open in April 2, will provide specialised, in-home and school based services for autistic adults, children and their families. The centre, which will be located in Healthcare City, will accommodate up to 60 cases. Teams of educated professionals will lessen the challenges of autism and developmental disabilities through applying behavioural analysis,” Doris Duan-Young, founder of the Doris Duan-Young autism centres, told Gulf News.

“I have taken my experiences helping to transform the lives of more than 20,000 families. Very few people in the world have been blessed with the opportunity to help many children. I began my career working in the field as a behavioural analyst. “Parents must be deeply involved and committed to implementing a behaviour plan to help their children overcome any challenges. If a parent is not in a good emotional state, it will be very difficult to help your autistic child,” she added.

Meanwhile, around Dh3 million will be spent on devices for special needs students in Abu Dhabi schools, it was also announced during the exhibition.

“The Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) is keen on providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities to help express their talents and abilities. About 50 different types of devices were earlier provided to students with disabilities and about Dh3 million will be spent to provide other modern devices for special needs in all categories,” Hana Al Hamdani, head of the technical committee and special needs consultant at Adec, said.

“Adec has succeeded in integrating around 11,775 disabled students into various schools in the capital, including 4,558 students during the current year. We look forward to integrating 68 more special needs student, from the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs (ZHO) and other organisations, into Abu Dhabi schools next year,” she added.

An array of sports activities, such as basketball and chess, were also highlighted at the three-day exhibition. Wheelchair-racing was open to people with reduced or limited mobility.

Several clubs participated in these activities including Al Thiqah Club for the Handicapped from Sharjah and Al Ain Club for the Disabled.