The FINANCIAL — Shafallah Center For Children With Special Needs and Qatar Airways have announced a partnership to promote global awareness of autism.
The two organisations have combined resources in a campaign that will run throughout the month of April and is timed to coincide with World Autism Awareness Day today, April 2.
According to Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar will be airing an in-flight public service announcement on all its flights, and distributing autism awareness pins and informational pamphlets on Qatar Airways’ flights to the United States on World Autism Awareness Day. The airline is also working with the Shafallah Center to train its cabin crew in disability awareness.
"The campaign to raise awareness of autism truly has wind under its wings now that Qatar Airways has partnered with us," said Hassan Ali Bin Ali, Chairman of Shafallah Center. "Such a campaign, to succeed, must be an effort of the whole society. Qatar Airways has shown once again why it is a leader in its industry and in our community."
Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said the airline has the opportunity to highlight autism to a global audience and that it was a proud supporter of the Shafallah campaign.
“There is a great need for communities to better understand autism and its effects not only on those diagnosed with this condition, but also whole families who have a member or members challenged with autism. I feel that Qatar Airways can help spread positive messages to the travelling public, and help remove any stigma,” he said.
“With several million people flying to over 80 destinations around the world on Qatar Airways, the airline is in an excellent position to be able to reinforce the message of autism awareness.
I hope that as many people as possible come to know of this campaign and in turn develop some level of understanding of autism and its effects,” Al Baker added.
Autism is currently the world’s most recognisable and serious developmental disorder. It is estimated that as many as 67 million individuals worldwide are affected by autism, making it more common than paediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. It is a life-long disorder with symptoms varying in severity and no definitive cure.
Warning signs include lack of the development of smiles or other facial expressions by nine months, no response when a child’s name is called by 10 months, no babbling by 12 months, no words by 16 months, lack of social interaction and exchange of sounds and any loss of acquired speech or social skills at any age.
Early diagnosis followed by intensive behavioural intervention programs are most successful methods known to research. The campaign seeks to highlight the importance of learning the early warning signs so that actions such as a diagnosis and speedy intervention can be initiated.
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