New England Center for Children - Abu Dhabi launches Autism Awareness Campaign 2009

Dr. Daniel Gould, NECC-AD Clinical Director and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, emphasized that the Awareness Campaign is an important step to helping children with autism and their families.

"Early recognition and early treatment - as early as 2 years old for some children - are the keys to increasing positive outcomes. Children with autism can make tremendous improvements when effective treatment is given from a very young age," according to Dr. Gould.

The symptoms of autism can vary greatly from child to child, however if your child shows any of these signs, ask for an immediate screening for autism:

• No big smiles or other warm, joyful expressions by 6 months or thereafter.
• No back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles, or other facial expressions by 9 months or thereafter.
• No response when child's name is called by 10 months.
• No babbling by 12 months.
• No back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching, or waving by 12 months.
• No words by 16 months.
• No two-word meaningful phrases (without imitating or repeating another person) by 24 months.
• Any loss of speech, babbling, or social skills at any age.

The NECC-AD program provides treatment services to children with autism. It enrolls 24 children ranging from 3 years to 8 years old, and will expand services to a total of 36 children within the next year.

NECC-AD is conducting several events this month to promote Autism Awareness Campaign 2009. On Friday and Saturday 17 and 18 April from, NECC-AD will host an information stand at the Al Wahda Mall. Other events are planned throughout the month, and a lecture and workshop series for parents and professionals is scheduled for the coming months.