I am delighted to announce that we are launching this Autism Awareness campaign, in Doha Qatar, in support of World Autism Awareness Day on 2nd April 2011. 

We will have an ongoing communication and community campaign to raise the level of awareness about autism. Information will be made available to all members of the public to increase awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and assist those that are directly affected by autism.

The Shafallah Center has established a hotline number where parents, teachers and the general public can call to ask for information. The number is: +974 4495 6633, and specialists will be available to provide support and address questions and concerns relating to autism.  A website has also been set up where people can find information, resources and seek advice. www.shafallahautism.org

The Shafallah center will continue to use a curriculum that acts as a platform for targeted goals for students with autism which reflects the different developmental skills needed by children with autism such as: social interaction skills, communication skills, language skills, play skills, independent and daily life skills, mobility and gross motor skills, fine motor skills, attention skills, in addition to that the curriculum and the Individual educational plan created by a multi-disciplinary team on reducing the behavioral problems of children with autism, in addition to focus on developing an appropriate continues communication system with them.

I am proud to promote and advocate for children with autism, as early diagnosis and intensive behavioral intervention programs are the only known methods for improving outcomes and reducing the severity of behaviors. It is therefore important for everyone to learn the signs so that early diagnosis can be determined.

Hassan Ali Bin Ali
Chairman

Hassan Ali Bin Ali
Chairman of Shafallah Center for Children with Special Needs.