SIGNIFICANT INTERACTION FROM PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS
On Saturday, October 31, 2020, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) has organized a virtual Forum on Down syndrome in conjunction with Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which the world recognizes in October of each year. A remarkable number of parents, specialists and people of interest participated.
Dr. Hala Bushra, a Specialist in Pediatrics, spoke at the Forum moderated by Mrs. Rabab Abdel Wahab, Head of the SCHS's Assistive Technology Center. She talked about the most important health problems related to children with Down syndrome and the examinations that their parents must perform for them.
She said, “Children with Down syndrome may face health problems in the immune system, the thyroid gland, the heart, or in breathing. Parents should always supervise them regularly so that they can deal with any problem before it aggravates”.
Mr. Wael Allam, Director of the Educational and Rehabilitation Services Department in SCHS, spoke about the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorder, indicating the presence of many disorders that may accompany Down syndrome, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
He explained that many studies confirm that the incidence of autism spectrum disorder in children who have Down syndrome is between 1% and 11%, while other studies indicate its presence between 16% and 18%. He said that the importance of this lies in helping professionals detect the disorders associated with Down syndrome at early phase and choosing the most appropriate interventions, whether educational or medical.
In terms of education, Dr. Samia Muhammad Salih, Director of Al-Wafa School for Capacity Development, has discussed supporting positive behavior for children with Down syndrome. She confirmed that positive behavior support is one of the modern approaches in education through which professionals focus on the child's behavior to serve his own goals. There is a need to use many techniques to support positive behaviors.
Mr. Hazem Ahmed, a Physical Education Teacher at the School talked about the importance of recreation and sports programs for children with Down syndrome. He stressed the educational and psychological goals of recreational therapy and the importance of using these programs by parents to develop the skills of their children.
Guest of honor at the forum, Dr. Manal Jarour, President of the Emirates Down Syndrome Association, has discussed the role of families in developing the skills of people with Down syndrome. She talked about the importance of the (Medical Passport), which Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services recently issued in order to educate parents and pediatricians about the basic procedures and checks that they should run for their children, according to internationally approved standards and conditions.
The forum comes within the framework of the SCHS’s keenness to empower people with disabilities, raise awareness of their issues, and provide them and their parents with appropriate services in accordance with international best practices, in addition to providing awareness and educational services in general.
The forum organized (remotely), due to the current conditions in the world because of Covid 19, has witnessed remarkable interaction by parents, specialists in the field of special education, and interested members of society.
Notably, Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services celebrates World Down Syndrome Day, which the world recognizes in March 21 of each year, with a series of educational, social and cultural activities with the significant participation of students and their parents. These events aim to raise awareness of a specific issue, which represents the theme of the year. It emphasizes the rights of people with Down syndrome.