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A SERIES of events to raise awareness about autism are set to be staged by local groups working for the cause, coinciding with Autism Awareness Month in April.
Supporters and volunteers from the community have come together in solidarity to organise marathons, interactive sessions and fun activities for children with autism, including lively
story-telling sessions.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain and the affected people often have problems with social communication and interaction, besides showing restricted or repetitive behaviours or interests. They may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention.
The United Nations General Assembly designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day to educate about autistic individuals around the world. The theme this year is ‘Moving from Surviving to Thriving: Autistic individuals share regional perspectives’, underpinning the shift from merely raising awareness to also promoting acceptance and appreciation of autistic people and their vital contributions to society.
In keeping with the spirit, Bahrain Society for Children with Behavioural and Communication Difficulties – Alia for Early Intervention is organising its annual Run For Autism on April 27 from 9am to 1pm at Exhibition World Bahrain, Sakhir. Participants of all ages, abilities and fitness levels can register. The event will be attended by dignitaries, including Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi and Social Development Minister Osama Al Asfoor. Cash prizes and gifts await top performers at the finish line.
In addition to the race, Run For Autism will also feature children’s entertainment and family fun, including a story session. Those who wish to share their stories and autism journey, as a way to promote understanding about the disorder, are welcome. All proceeds from registrations and optional donations will be used toward the Alia Comprehensive Autism Centre. For more details, follow @aliaautismcenters on Instagram.
“The Alia Comprehensive Autism Centre is poised to become a beacon of hope and progress,” director Dr Rania Al Khalifa told GulfWeekly.
“It leads the community with its unique blend of Applied Behaviour Analysis therapies and in-centre programmes designed to enhance socialisation skills crucial for our students’ development,” she added.
Earlier this week, Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain sailors visited the Alia centre and interacted with students through cooking classes, physical training and musical sessions, among other activities. The sailors also had an educational experience as they joined the students during occupational therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy and applied behavioural analysis sessions.
There will be activities exclusively for children on the autism spectrum as well. Interactive Minds Centre for Rehabilitation in Salmaniya is organising an awareness and support event tomorrow (April 26) from 2pm to 6pm. Volunteers from the non-profit community group Special Families Support (SFS) will accompany their children in fun activities, from Zumba dance to movies and painting. For more details, follow @sfs.bahrain on Instagram.
“We are happy to be participating in this event and will be joined by volunteers from the non-profit group One Heart Bahrain,” an SFS representative added. “SFS Global is celebrating 25 years this year, and the Bahrain chapter completes 11 years. We work with children on the autistic spectrum and their parents, offering support, which is truly enriching.”
Omnia Centre for Autism and Special Education is organising social and fun activities for its children in co-operation with the medical undergraduate students of Arabian Gulf University today (April 25).
REACH Behaviour and Development Centre co-organised two story-telling sessions earlier this month, with the British School of Bahrain and Neo Books and Coffee, where The Adventures of Talal the Teddy Bear, following his journey with autism, were read out loud to children.
Think Behaviour and Development Centre with Radio Bahrain organised Bubbles of Kindness this month. The event encouraged individuals, families, and businesses to step outdoors any day in April and fill the sky with bubbles, capture the moment with a photo, and tag it as #BubblesOfKindness – if you haven’t already, go ahead and join the campaign.
“Bubbles remind us of a spectrum, representing different shapes and sizes and even reflecting different colours. They serve as symbols of hope and happiness and our journey as a community towards understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity,” a Think representative explained.
