JEDDAH, 7 February 2007 — Leading health experts from Oxford University met their Saudi counterparts at Effat College recently to discuss the plight of autistic children in the Kingdom and seek ways of raising awareness about autism. The group included Ahmad Halloul, a clinical psychologist at King Khaled Hospital and director of the Saudi Autistic Society in Western Region, Anthony Bailey, chair of autism resources at Oxford University, and Eileen Hopkins, international development director of autism also at Oxford University.
“One in every 100 children in Saudi Arabia is autistic and suffering from varying degrees of autism. ... There is a dire need for trained teachers who can effectively instruct autistic students,” said Bailey.
According to Andrea Taguibao, chair of the early childhood education department, many teachers in the classroom are unable to recognize autistic children, something which she described as being tragic.
Halloul said the Saudi Autistic Society is arranging seminars and holding meetings with teachers and parents of autistic children to raise awareness about autism.
Dr. Tabassum Rashid, chair of the psychology department at Effat College, said: “The college wants to take the lead in raising the awareness on autism. A psychology bachelor degree program provides a basic knowledge of autism.” The college will provide short-term courses to mothers in how to deal with autistic children, he said.
