The World Autism Awareness Month campaign will kick off with a family event organised on Saturday at Al Shaqab, from 10am to 2pm. Activities are open to all families impacted by autism; they will be able to enjoy horseback riding, sports and other recreational activities.
The World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) will join key local stakeholders at the event. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and many of the country’s organisations and healthcare and educational institutions are holding various awareness and recreational activities throughout April.
The activities will include education for parents and the general public as well as targeted training for healthcare professionals. Activities will highlight the impact that this disorder can have on the individuals and their families.
Additional events will be organised by Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medical and Research Centre, World Health Innovation Summit, Qatar Autism Families Association, Nomas Centre under the Ministry of Culture and Sports, Renad Academy, Qatar Institute for Speech and Hearing (QISH), Ontario Centre for Special Education, Step by Step Centre for special Needs, and Mind Institute.
These organisations will also be hosting their own awareness and education activities in support of World Autism Awareness Month. Activities open to the public include a “Walk in Blue” walkathon that will take place on the Corniche and Villaggio Mall, organised by Ontario Centre for Special Education. QISH is organising a community awareness programme at Lulu Hypermarket from April 4 to 6; and an “Autism Walk” in Katara Cultural Village on April 8. Primary Health Centres will offer additional education to families throughout April.
World Autism Awareness Day was first proposed by Qatar Foundation chairperson HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser to the United Nations in 2007 and was adopted without a vote by the UN General Assembly. The first World Autism Awareness Day was observed on April 2, 2008.
Egbert Schillings, CEO, WISH, said, “QF is committed to helping children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. It is because of HH Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, chairperson of QF and founder of WISH, that World Autism Awareness Day is bringing a message of support and recognition to people around the globe. Building on our WISH 2016 policy report on autism, we continue to honour that commitment through projects and programs both in Qatar and abroad.We thank all of our partners in this endeavour.”
WISH, an initiative of QF, has a longstanding commitment to raising awareness around mental health issues and developing evidence-based research to address related policy challenges in areas such as dementia and autism. WISH recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mental Health Friends Association ‘Weyak’ to establish a collaborative framework that promotes mental health in Qatar through the mutual exchange of ideas, information, awareness events, and research studies.
WISH is currently part of a joint research project with the World Innovation Summit for Education and the Doha International Family Institute to support the health and well-being of children with autism in Qatar.
