JEDDAH, 19 April 2008 — A two-day forum on learning difficulties at Effat Collage ended yesterday with participants calling for more awareness campaigns on the subject.

The event, which was attended by parents, teachers and experts, was the fist attempt by the Future Expert Center to shed light on learning difficulties. The event was also attended by specialists from the US.

Hada Litim, project manager for the Future Expert Center, said that the campaign to raise awareness about the subject was started by Reem Bakheet, the center’s owner. She was inspired to start it after one of her relatives, who suffered from learning difficulties, traveled to various countries looking for expert help.

The forum was organized by Bakheet with help from the Social and Education Consultation Office and Effat College.

From her personal experience as a teacher, Litim, who is English and has been working in the field for 15 years, said that she has seen discrepancies in the way children with learning difficulties are treated in the Kingdom. “Nobody is caring for these kids,” she said. She added that this is the first forum of its kind in the region and that another symposium is being planned. She added that the organizers’ aim is to hold similar events three times a year.

When asked about the low turnout, Litim said, “We were able to draw just a little attention... not as much as we would have wanted, but it is a good beginning,” she added. Among the audience, she said, were people whose children or relatives suffer from learning difficulties.

Speeches were delivered in English with Arabic translators interpreting. “The problem is that we couldn’t find Arabic speakers who had expertise in the subject. We’re using hired professional translators,” said Litim. She said problems surrounding learning difficulties in the Middle East are not limited to a lack of awareness. She said there is an absence of written material in Arabic that could help people address the issue.

She said awareness campaigns would attract more local specialists to undertake research in the subject and develop Arabic material for parents and teachers.

She said there was an absence of updated IQ tests in Arabic, adding the only thing close was an Arabic translation of an English IQ test done in Egypt 10 years ago. “You cannot test through translation. We need tools created by Arabs,” said Litim.

She added that her group is targeting ordinary people, like mothers and teachers, rather than experts. Litim further called for raising awareness through TV and radio, and the distribution of leaflets in schools and health institutions.

Dr. Raymond Hamden, a clinical and forensic psychologist and a speaker at the forum, said that the Kingdom is like any other country. According to him, one out of every 10 children suffers from learning difficulties. The percentage, he said, might rise depending on the environment and conditions — in wars, for instance, disorders increase to 60 percent.

Hamden said that no child should be denied an education. He added that many geniuses suffered from learning difficulties and became successful as they found ways to overcome their disabilities. He added that he wishes to share his expertise with people to help the disadvantaged.

Dr. Deema Sihweil, a clinical psychologist and a speaker, said the forum is a wonderful opportunity to network and increase awareness.