Dubai: The UAE today joins other nations across the globe to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
Autism is a disorder that affects millions and to help develop methods for early detection and intervention to reduce its impact on the child, the family and society.
Recent studies show that genetics is one of the main causes of autism while medical and educational research emphasises the importance of early intervention to limit the accompanying behavioural and development issues, according to a statement issued by the Dubai Autism Centre.
"There is a huge waiting list at the centre which can only take in 48 children," Hayula Murad, business support and communication head told Gulf News.
Expensive treatment
She noted that the various therapies afforded to the children as behavioural modification, speech therapy and early intervention were very expensive and could cost as much as Dh45,000 a month.
This is the third time the world celebrates this day, with affected individuals being welcomed and embraced in community events.
In some countries, famous landmarks are also lit up, in blue colours, to mark the day. In the UAE, many autism centres organise specialised conferences, sports and entertainment programmes to show solidarity on the day and what it stands for.
Mohammad Al Emmadi, director of the centre, said among the campaigns conducted by the centre was one which concentrated on the plight of families and ways to reduce the effects of such plight by taking action through intervention.
Autism is still a mysterious disorder that is growing in alarming rates.
The lifelong disorder can be detected during the first three years of life. The disorder affects the development of a child's communication and social skills, leading to isolation, the centre said in a statement.
Children do not "outgrow" autism but the symptoms may lessen as the child develops and receives treatment, the centre added.
There is no medical treatment for autism and treatment is in the way of therapies and specialised educational programmes.
