ACI donates Dhs5m to Dubai Autism Center's Building fund

The donation will contribute to the building fund for the DAC's upcoming treatment facility.

The Dubai Autism Center, established under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Autism Center, is a not-for-profit organization that offers therapeutic, counseling and educational services to children affected by autism, their families and care-givers. Currently, the DAC is in need of larger, more modern premises to serve the growing demand for services.

Speaking at a ceremony held to present the donation, His Excellency Dr. Omar Bin Sulaiman, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Vice-Chairman of DAC said,

"ACI's generous donation will support DAC in pursuing its goal of providing better services to children and families affected by autism. Autism is a growing social concern in Dubai, as it is across the rest of the globe, and it is imperative that we respond collectively to the needs of our children with Autism. We hope to raise further public awareness of autism and generate additional support from businesses and the general public to create effective treatment facilities for children with autism."

Sanjay Chimnani, joint managing director, ACI Real Estate said, "We are honored to be part of the efforts of the Dubai Autism Center. We have deep respect for the efforts and the commitment shown by the DAC staff and we hope our contribution will help them continue the good work they have started."

Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of DAC also commented, "ACI's contribution will tremendously boost our efforts to make a real and positive difference to the lives of children with autism and their families. Their donation will particularly help us in improving our services in early diagnosis and treatment. We invite other businesses and the general public to join us in raising resources to support children with autism."

State-of the-art treatment centre
The Dubai Autism Centre is creating a treatment centre in Garhoud that will implement global best practices in the diagnosis and prevention of autism. Expected to be ready by end of 2009, the Centre will offer an early intervention program for children as young as three years of age. It will also deliver programs specifically designed for adolescents.

While construction has commenced, DAC requires another Dhs70m to ensure that the facility can provide special counseling and training in at-home techniques for families affected by autism.

Services for children of all nationalities
Autism impacts children of all backgrounds. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as it is otherwise referred to, is a neurological disorder that inhibits socialization, interaction and learning abilities in children, adolescents and adults.

It is incurable but with early diagnosis of children at as young as two years of age, many autistic children grow up to become independent productive adults.

Therapies for older children may include speech and occupational programs.

To date, the Center has worked with hundreds of children in Dubai from diverse nationalities.

The Center has counselors who speak English, Arabic, French, Tagalog and Hindi to further assist their parents and other care givers to train them in at-home techniques.