Dubai: A humanitarian initiative by the Autism Trust Foundation, Dubai Chapter, will provide free therapy for 40 children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) from underprivileged backgrounds in the UAE.
They will receive treatment for seven-ten hours per week in Dubai for a period of two years by the Autism Trust Foundation (ATF) at their premises in Silicon Oasis Dubai, an official from ATF said on Wednesday.
The ATF, which opened here in 2011, in collaboration with the Community Development Authority (CDA), is a UK-registered charity with a presence in nine countries — UK, USA, Canada, Venezuela, Ivory Coast, Ghana, UAE, Lebanon and Palestine. It aims at providing therapy and support to children with ASD to integrate them in the community.
Fahd Bin Al Shaikh, chairman of ATF, said: “Therapy for children with ASD usually costs anything between Dh280-Dh750 per session and it is important that children with ASD receive treatment at least five days a week. I know people who are so poor that they can afford therapy only once a month.
“ATF Dubai, which came into existence five years ago and has premises for the last four years, would like to extend a helping hand to underprivileged parents. The initiative seeks to provide comprehensive services for children under the supervision of Minnesota-based autism specialist Professor Hussain Ebrahim and a complete health analysis with a diet protocol based on the result by the Rami Hamid Centre for medical services. Studies have shown that most children who develop ASD have heavy metal concentration in their bodies and following special diets along with proper therapy can greatly help their cause.”
Dr Ramid Hamid said that the diagnostic tools used would immediately check the proliferation of health body flora and the heavy metal residues in the child’s body. “Lack of healthy gut flora can exacerbate ASD symptoms and a diet which can help take away metal residues and enhance gut flora will be tailored for the child. Children these days have so much junk food and high doses of sugar which are known to trigger many health conditions, including ASD. Parents are advised to maintain the healthy diet pattern for the child for a minimum of two years as this greatly helps neutralising symptoms and, along with other therapies, will help integrate the child into the community.”
Jennifer Ranadive, member of the ATF board, emphasised the importance of empowering parents with more knowledge on the condition and sharing the responsibility.
Paria Rafi, another board member, talked about the importance of early intervention that could help the child adjust better.
Dr Ebrahim felt it was time for society to take off their blinkers and look at children with ASD with a different perspective. All the members stressed the importance of inclusion and integration of these children into the mainstream in schools and the community as far as possible and highlighted the important role of diet and therapy in the management of ASD,
The foundation will begin to receive the applications for the initiative, starting on April 16, for a period of 30 days. Parents from an underprivileged background will have to submit salary certificates and Ejari, among other documents, as evidence of not being able to afford treatment fees.
Al Shaikh added: “Parents can call ATF on 04-3333933 to know more details. Interested parents can also email info@drhc.ae for more details. A specialised committee will work on the social and physical condition of applicants to study the case within 60 working days of submission of applications. If we find there is an overwhelming response and feel that the number of those children requiring help is far more than 40, we might also look into starting another branch of ATF.”
