Qatar reaffirms commitment to international cooperation on Autism Spectrum

The State of Qatar reaffirmed commitment's to join the World Health Organization (WHO)'s efforts on the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorders, development disorders and related forms of disability. This came in a speech delivered by HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani, the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations in Geneva, at a round table on the role of partners, which is being held on the sideline of WHO consultations on Autism Spectrum Disorders and other development disorders. " The State of Qatar attaches great importance to the subject of Autism Spectrum Disorders, development disorders and related forms of disability. It has made great strides in supporting the needs of persons living with autism by upholding global efforts that aim to raise awareness of the disease and to achieve related remedial measures," HE Al Thani said. " For this purpose, the State of Qatar, on behalf of a number of countries, submitted the resolution 62/139 on World Autism Awareness Day that was adopted by the General Assembly on 2007," she explained. At the regional level, HE Sheikha Alia Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani said: " The State of Qatar has contributed, through its role in the Arab Network for Autism, to activating the exchange of experiences among Arab countries about autism spectrum disorders to realize community and scientific awareness, diagnosis of autism and early intervention, as well as treatment, rehabilitation and employment," she added. With respect to efforts exerted at the national level, HE Al Thani explained that the State of Qatar has sought to review the exiting legislation and prepare new draft laws to ensure prevention, cure and rehabilitation of persons with autism in light of Qatar's accession to the Comprehensive Convention on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008. "The State of Qatar has keen to create several mechanisms to maintain human mental health and especially children," she said, referring to the Shafallah Center for children with special needs, which undertakes a significant educational and rehabilitative role through the services it provides to children with autism in the field of special education, social service and psychotherapy. " Qatar's Assistive Technology Center (Mada) has undertaken an important role by ensuring accessibility of persons with autism and other disabilities to information and communication technology as means to enhance their potential, enrich their abilities, and to organize training courses and evaluation sessions to determine the needs of people with autism," she added.