Islamic Relief and University College of Ability Development organizes a scientific day on autism entitled
“Autism: Diagnosis and Treatment”

Islamic Relief and University College of Ability Development of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in Khan Younis  organized the first scientific day of first day of Autism entitled “Autism: diagnosis and treatment”
Dr. Hatem Dabbaka opened the day’s activities welcoming the guests and participants. Dr. Jane Calder emphasized the need to follow up autism cases and to observe the influence of the mothers’ ways of dealing with their children which has a major impact in the formation of the child’s personality. Dr. Calder mentioned a variety of stories about autism and ways of dealing with it to give the parents various options for treatment.
Mohammed Abu Muharram, Child Welfare Program Manager at Islamic Relief stressed the importance of their role in taking care of children with special needs, especially autistic children wishing from all community institutions working in the field to unify all efforts to coordination services to avoid distraction, and focus on joint action towards the benefit of children with autism.
Dr. Shawki Mansour, representative of the Ministry of Education and Higher Education said that the ministry is supporting higher education institutions to set up several workshops and scientific training days to serve different sectors of society, especially people with disabilities, for this purpose the ministry follows-up and participate in similar activities to promote the dissemination of a culture of quality in all aspects.
At the end of the day, specialists and researchers were familiarized with the manual titled “Amongst You” which is considered the base that all institutions working in this field can rely on to do the social sensitization on how to prevent and early diagnose autism. Also to train parents on how to do household follow up in addition to training specialist and caregivers on how to develop their performance. Additionally, the day was concluded with several recommendations, most importantly, stressing the importance of coordination and cooperation between the several organizations working in the field. Also, activating the role of governmental institutions and the Ministry of Social Development.
Finally, it was agreed to form a high committee specialized in monitoring the communication and networking and accrediting a high diploma program in autism to develop the performance of workers in this field and to encourage continuing study and research in the field .