2024–2025

2024–2025 WINTER CAMP “LET'S BEGIN IN A JOYFUL AND ENJOYABLE ENVIRONMENT”

Dec 17, 2024

Under the theme "let's begin in joyful and enjoyable environment," the Sharjah Autism Center, in partnership with Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), is hosting the Winter Camp "2024-2025" from December 15 to 20. By giving kids with autism spectrum disorder and their siblings attending the camp a cozy and secure space to handle their emotions and stress, the event seeks to promote relaxation and overall wellbeing.

Twenty pupils with autism spectrum disorder, ages five to sixteen, and ten siblings of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, ages ten to sixteen, are present at the camp.

The director of the Sharjah Autism Center, Dr. Suhaim Al-Humaimat, emphasized the value of the camp in helping students and their siblings make the most of their leisure time. Additionally, it is a chance for individuals with autism spectrum disorder to gain experiences and skills and boost their confidence.

She said, “In addition to imparting specialized knowledge on how to manage the time of individuals with disabilities in activities that are beneficial to families and supporting bodies, the camp also seeks to integrate students into society by improving their social and interactive skills through field trips and outside involvement. Additionally, it aims to activate the Brotherhood Council by involving students' siblings in enjoyable activities”.

She added, “We try to break up the routine at winter camp and make sure that the kids and their siblings have fun and are entertained. Additionally, the camp offers volunteers the chance to work with individuals with disabilities and support their advocacy, empowerment, inclusion, and integration”.

She clarified that in addition to numerous cultural events and leisure excursions to the Arab Cultural Club, museums, Sharjah Equestrian Club, Magic Planet (Al Zahiya), Dubai Parks, and Sharjah Safari, the camp offers a variety of workshops, such as "Music Therapy," "Drama and Theater," "Arts," "Robots," "Housekeeping and Cooking," "Comic Stories," and "Sports Activities."

In addition to improving sibling participation in recreational and educational activities, the director of the Sharjah Autism Center discussed the camp's role in fostering social interaction, offering a variety of opportunities to develop motor and cognitive skills, supporting students' independence, improving community integration of individuals with autism spectrum disorder through cultural and recreational destinations, and giving participating parties field experience through a team that specializes in receiving and preparing recreational destinations for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Al-Humaimat concluded by stating that, in the 1994–1995 academic year, SCHS was the first in the United Arab Emirates to offer a specialized service for individuals with autism spectrum disorder by establishing a department attached to the Institute of Intellectual Education (formerly), which is now known as the Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development. The first specialized Emirati facility to offer specialist educational and therapeutic services appropriate for students with autism spectrum disorder and their families was the Sharjah Autism Center, which was founded and launched in February 2002.