DIFC Supports Dubai Autism Centre

The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has today announced that it is to support the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme for 2005.

The Dubai Autism Centre is a not for profit organisation that relies solely on fundraising and donations. Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman, Director General of DIFCA has recently joined Dubai Autism Centre as Vice Chairman.

The DIFC is making a donation to the centre and staff will further contribute the money raised at a staff auction held in support of Dubai Autism Centre. In addition, DIFC staff will devote time to working directly with the Dubai Autism Centre in a range of areas to directly support the efforts of the DAC team.

Dr Omar Bin Sulaiman said:

“We have embarked on this programme of corporate social responsibility because we believe that business should contribute to social and cultural aspects of society, in addition to fiscal ones.

“The Dubai Autism Centre is an amazing institution. I am humbled by the dedication and hard work of its outstanding staff who offer unstinting dedication to aiding the education and development of children with Autism.

“As a not for profit organisation, the DAC depends on donations and fundraising. We are proud in DIFC, to have made this donation. I would like to thank my colleagues for their generosity as well as their contribution in terms of sharing their expertise and time to assist the Center’s team in doing such a great job.

DAC supports autistic children aged between two and sixteen. Children are taught in a high quality environment consisting of classes of four led by two teachers, Arabic and English speaking. All staff have training in either the field of autism or behavioral management. In addition to academic work, children at the DAC also benefit from several therapeutic methods such as clinical psychology, speech and language pathology and occupational therapy.

Autism is a neurological development disorder which cannot be cured. With proper treatment and education, such as that provided at the Dubai Autism Centre, its effect can be reduced to some extent. Children with Autism have a deficit in communication, social skills and imagination and this can lead to frustration often manifested by shouting, rocking or flapping hands.

Ahmed Al Sirkal, Head of Executive Committee of Dubai Autism Centre said,

“We wish to thank the DIFC team at DIFC for their generous donation to the DAC. Without contributions from the private sector and other benefactors we would not be able to offer the programmes that we know benefit autistic children.

At DAC we have an outstanding library which is useful for the education of parents and volunteers, we have a kitchen and a combined living/bedroom so that we can teach basic life skills and we have a playground and gym to teach gross motor skills. The development and upkeep of facilities such as these is essential but expensive and we are grateful to the DIFC for its support of the centre, which will contribute to the quality of life of the autistic children we care for.”