Dubai Autism Centre shows books on autism at SIBF

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Dubai Autism Center (DAC) educated visitors of Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) about autism. This year, on its shelves, there are a range of autism publications published by the Centre. The Dubai Autism Centre has been hosting an exhibition stall at SIBF since 2006 to educate the public on their specialised services for children with autism.

Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of Dubai Autism Center said: “With many common misconceptions about autism, the Center has developed awareness plans, included the introduction of its new book entitled “Myths vs. Facts” that is published and presented at the book fair to help improve the awareness of the needs of individuals with autism and integrating them into the UAE society,”

Another book entitled “First Responder Guidebook” is also published and presented this year by the DAC. This guidebook is meant for all personnel involved in search and rescue operations and life-saving services, who are referred to as “First Responders”.

Emphasizing the importance of this book, Al Emadi explained that the purpose of “First Responder Guidebook” is to help all personnel involved in search and rescue operations and life-saving services enhance the quality of response and interactions with individuals with autism whom     may not be able to understand incoming danger or its consequences,”

“In fact, nearly half of children with autism engage in wandering behavior, and accidental drowning accounts for 70 to 90% of lethal outcomes,” he stressed.

The Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) is a non-profit organisation providing information, support, advice and training to professionals and parents of children with Autism. Founded in November 2001 with the issuance of a decree from Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the DAC is focused on providing various services for children with Autism and their families. The Centre also works toward facilitating a better community understanding of autism, including early diagnosis and treatment methodology.