Qatar Foundation’s specialised programmes empower young people with autism

Doha, Qatar: As awareness of autism has grown, there has been a notable shift towards understanding and accommodating the needs of individuals with th...

Doha, Qatar: As awareness of autism has grown, there has been a notable shift towards understanding and accommodating the needs of individuals with the condition. But has this increased awareness resulted in improved integration and support for them in society?

Fatima Hassan Al Rumaihi is the mother of Dana Al Kuwari, a 17-year-old student with autism at Awsaj Academy, part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE).

Speaking about how she first realised that her daughter had autism, she says: “I noticed that my daughter wasn’t communicating clearly like her friends which prompted me to seek medical advice. Upon her diagnosis, I wasn’t fully aware of autism, so I started educating myself.

“We began working on her communication skills when she was two years old, and since then, there has been a significant shift in our family’s understanding of autism. We now understand her needs better, indicating that increased awareness can facilitate integration and change perceptions.”

She explained that many people believe that individuals with autism prefer not to interact with others, but this is a common misconception. “This is not the case,” she says. “Dana is social and enjoys communication. I’ve noticed that the more she interacts with others, the more her skills improve.”