The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) on Monday launched an E-learning platform targeting parents and caregivers of children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
The platform has been launched in partnership with the Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Child Development and Paediatric Rehabilitation Centre, Qatar Foundation, Al Shafallah Centre for Persons with Disabilities and Qatar Autism Society, the official Qatar News Agency reported.
The main objective of the platform is to offer parents and caregivers a digital source of scientific information covering educational, social and health-related topics.
“The platform is part of the efforts of the MoPH and partners for all individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families," said Dr Noof Mohamed al-Siddiqi, health lead, National Autism Plan, MoPH. "We hope that, with all the support, we can build a network to provide all families in our community with publications regarding autism, videos and interactive peer-to-peer support. We can make individuals on the autism spectrum reach their aspired potential and much more.”
The platform includes a variety of resources, including recorded videos by experts on autism. It will also feature monthly live interactive educational sessions run by experts in the field and covering a variety of topics. This is especially important now, as parents need extra support and advice during the Covid-19 pandemic and in view of the changes in their children’s routine due to the precautionary measures in place, including physical distancing, the MoPH has stressed in a statement.
“The Information Systems Department at the MoPH has provided the community with many electronic solutions that support digital transformation; filling the existing gaps and challenges that have emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Fatima Ibrahim Shaikhi, project lead, Information Systems Department, MoPH. “The autism portal allows autism specialists in Qatar to share their expertise and discuss important topics that will provide parents and caregivers with valuable information,” she added.
The first online session will cover the topic of ‘Behavioural changes among young people with special needs’. It will be conducted on Wednesday by Dr Mohamed al-Taher, senior consultant psychiatrist and learning disability service lead, Mental Health Services, HMC.
The dates and times of future sessions will be announced on the website in advance.
Parents and caregivers of children and adults with ASD are encouraged to visit the webpage, https://autismelearning.moph.gov.qa?, and benefit from the resources available for them.
