SHARJAH AUTISM CENTER CONCLUDES ITS INFORMATIVE CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES WITH THE OPENING
On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Sharjah Autism Center, which is an affiliate of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS), organized the Fourth Virtual Sports Festival for people with autism spectrum disorder via (Zoom platform). About 185 students with autism spectrum disorder from autism centers in the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman, The Arab Republic of Egypt, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan participated. This event is part of Sharjah Autism Center raising people's awareness campaign on Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Siham Al-Humaimat, Director of the Center, has said, "The aim of the festival is to raise the level of sports knowledge among students, parents and all members of society, to promote the integration of people with autism spectrum disorder, and to create a spirit of achievement and interaction among them. In addition to improving the fine and gross motor skills of people with autism spectrum disorder through their participation in sports activities. The center provides psychological support to parents by letting them watch the achievement of their children in sports competitions”.
She pointed out the importance of exercising to create a healthy and balanced lifestyle. It helps to improve and develop the fine and gross motor skills and communication of people with autism spectrum disorder.
In the Fourth Virtual Sports Festival, students competed in various exercises and competitions, in the presence of an audience from the participating centers and parents.
The Masar Center for Psychological Support and Child Skills Development, the Lotus Flower Center for Autism, and the Dubai Center for People of Determination participated in the festival. Emirates Autism Center, Ras Al Khaimah Autism Center, Umm Al Quwain Autism Center participated as well. Basma Center, Awladna Center for People of Determination, Al-Nasr Youth Center also participated. The Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services branch in Khorfakhan, the Jordanian Academy for Autism, the Masarat Center for Development and Empowerment, the Abu Dhabi Autism Center, and Ubuntu also participated. Target for the Rehabilitation of People with Special Needs, Al Ain Autism Center, two branches of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services in Al Dhaid and Kallba, Smouha Club, Tanta Sports Club took part in the festival as well.
Al-Humaimat has confirmed that the Sharjah Autism Center is one of the leading centers in accordance with best practices in providing various programs, services and activities. The comprehensive sports program included the most important sports activities that have a positive and distinct impact on developing the capabilities of people with autism spectrum disorder.
The center offers students swimming, equestrian activities, and specialized sports services.
It is worth noting that the festival in its previous years was limited to the participation of students of Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. However, the success of the festival prompted the center to invite centers specialized in providing services for people with autism spectrum disorder in the country to participate and share experiences.
In addition, hosting autism centers in the Arab world at the festival is a unique and qualitative addition to the dissemination of sports knowledge among the families of people with autism spectrum disorder and the community.
Finally, certificates of appreciation and participation were handed over, and medals were awarded to the champions.
On the other hand, the activities of the World Autism Day concluded with the opening of the Director of the Sharjah Autism Center, Dr. Siham Al-Humaimat (Exhibition of Teaching Aids) at the International Scientific Mission School on Thursday, April 21, 2022.
The aim of the exhibition, which received visitors from various schools in the country, was to clarify the importance of educational aids in enriching education. Educational materials help to stimulate the interest of the student with autism spectrum disorder, and satisfy his need for learning. It also works on involving the senses in the learning process, and avoiding the use of words whose meaning may differ between the student and the teacher. In addition to forming basic concepts in the educational process, especially with students with autism spectrum disorder.
The exhibition witnessed a variety of educational aids targeting the methods and techniques of training students with autism spectrum disorder. It depend on the structured education curriculum "TEACCH". The means include temporal organizations, means of training on independence in daily life skills, communication files, means of developing visual-motor synergy skills, means of developing skills of perception and cognitive performance.
The number of educational aids that the exhibition presented ranged between 30 and 40 manufactured educational aids to enable the student to communicate, organize the classroom environment, and develop academic skills and independence.
As part of its celebration of World Autism Day, the Center is also organizing a group iftar at City Center Al Zahia. The Investment Corporation of Dubai and Al Zahia Art Theater are organizing this event on Friday, April 22, 2022.