Bahrain joins the world in marking the World Autism Awareness Day which was approved by the United Nations in 2008 and is observed on April 2 every year. This year’s theme “Transformation: Toward a Neuro-Inclusive World for All” aims to cast light on the concept of autism, help overcome challenges and raise awareness of the right of people suffering from autism to be provided with the needed care.
Marking the occasion, Minister of Social Development, Osama bin Ahmed Khalaf Al Asfour, underlined the importance of people with special needs in the social texture, pointing out the government’s keenness to provide them with quality health, educational and cultural services to engage them actively in the community. He asserted the kingdom’s commitment to the values of justice and equality and promoting full participation of people suffering from the Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). He also stressed the kingdom’s keenness to present a model to emulate in health and social care.
The minister noted that within the framework of the government’s interest in providing every support to people suffering from ASD, the ministry is working on supporting the non-government rehabilitation centres that are in charge of providing special services to this category. He added that the number of beneficiaries from the ministry’s support to those centres accounts for 300 autistic students. He also pointed out that the total number of autistic students registered with the ministry amounts to 1286 who benefit from the monthly disability allowance.
The Ministry of Social Development stressed that raising awareness of the average ASD is the responsibility of all and requires more concerted efforts to diagnose cases and ensure their early detection, in addition to adopting comprehensive therapeutic, rehabilitation and integration in the community programmes.
Source: Bahrain News Agency