Saudi Gazette Studies have revealed some grim statistics about the spread of autism across the globe. One out of every 150 children from both sexes is diagnosed with autism, said Dr. Mousa Al-Nabhan, the acting dean for educational studies affairs at the Arabian Gulf University, adding that one out of every 94 boys is diagnosed with autism. The incidence of autism among children worldwide in the past year was higher than the occurrence of cancer or AIDS or other disabilities. Autism occurs in boys at a rate four times higher than its occurrence in girls, according to Dr. Al-Nabhan. The developmental disorder — which is characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication and by repetitive behaviors — does not differentiate between race, nationality, region, or socioeconomic status. Although there is no medical cure for autism, an early diagnosis can help manage the disorder better and train the family to accommodate the affected child and help him/her integrate with the rest of society. Dr. Al-Nabhan cited some symptoms of autism, such as a delay in speech and language development and a marked lack in social communication skills. The affected child may also exhibit some compulsive behavior, repetitive actions or movements, and very limited interests. Such signs may become apparent as early as the first year of life. “Unfortunately, there is an absence of research, services, and statistics for autism in the Kingdom,” Dr. Al-Nabhan said. Parents of children with autism are complaining of the lack of experienced hospital personnel who specialize in autism in most regions throughout the Kingdom. Some parents discovered the hard way that many health professionals know very little about dealing with autistic children. One parent said, “If the hospital staff does not know much about autism, how can they help us, guide us, and counsel us on how to care for our children?” Abdulaziz Bin Amer related his long and bitter story with autism. “My son is afflicted with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When we first noticed the symptoms, I tried to seek help but I was referred from the pediatric to the psychiatric to the neurological clinics without positive results. None had a logical explanation as to what my son was going through. Finally, after many difficulties, he was correctly diagnosed with autism and we found one center that helps in the language and social development of autistic children, but it is extremely expensive.” In response to similar complaints from many families and the increased need for awareness on autism, Prince Muhammad Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz, the governor of the Jazan region, announced on Saturday the launch of awareness and educational campaigns and several projects targeted toward autistic children — whom he characterized as very creative — and their families. Princess Samira Al-Faisal Al-Saud is a strong supporter of this awareness campaign. She is the president of the Saudi Autistic Society and also the chairperson of the board of directors of the Autistic Families Association in Saudi Arabia. She criticized the deficiency in rehabilitative services for autistic children, the absence of teachers, health professionals, and social workers who majored in special education for autistic children, and the shortage of investments from the big businessmen in rehabilitative centers for autistic children inside the Kingdom. “Autism places a heavy financial burden on the family of the affected child. Financial aid for autistic children amounts to SR 20,000 per year on average, whereas the costs for treatment, medications, rehabilitation, and special education reach as high as SR 130,000 per year,” said Princess Samira. “We refuse to leave our autistic children and to necessitate their families to search for medications and rehabilitation services elsewhere, outside their home country. The incidence of autism among Saudi children is on the rise, and autism occurs in one out of every 100 individuals in the Kingdom,” she said. __
