Children at Dar Al Ber Society head office celebrating World Autism Awareness Day.

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

DUBAI: Over 200 guests including autistic children and their parents attended a day-long celebration event to mark World Autism Awareness Day organised by Dar Al Ber Society at its head office in Dubai.

The aim of the event was to raise awareness about autism and encourage the children with autism to showcase their abilities.

World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) is celebrated every year on 2 April. Its aim is to put the spotlight on the problems that people with autism face every day. WAAD celebrates the unique talents of those with autism and what these skills deserve through community events around the globe.

All the children were given a chance to showcase their skills for which Dar Al Ber Society had made special arrangements. While Dhiren showed his skills of balloon making, Krishna showed his painting skills. Another child had written a poem, while another had woven a mini basket – in total over 30 children showed their amazing talents during the event.

Each child was given a special sticker to wear on their shirts mentioning “I am super child”, and, to encourage them, parents were given stickers mentioning “I am super parent”.

The children not only got a chance to showcase their talents, but they also received special gifts which included garments, shoes, jewellery, bags, toys, etc. The gifts distribution ceremony was followed by dinner and fun-filled activities to entertain children with determination and their families.

The children with autism were from different special needs schools including Rashid Centre for Determined Ones, Al Noor Centre for Special Needs and others around Dubai. There was also a special surprise – a free raffle to win three pearl necklaces and bracelets from Lialli Jewellery.

The event was attended by over 200 people including children with determination and their families. It was a complete entertaining evening with activities for the children. All the guests, especially the children with determination, enjoyed the event thoroughly.

“We organised this event because it is important for the society to understand people with autism. Each and every autistic person has at least one unique talent which needs to be identified and nurtured so that it will help them become a part of the mainstream society,” said Dr Hisham Al Zahrani, Deputy Director, Social Sector, Dar Al Ber Society.