Significant steps forward have brought the opening of the first multidisciplinary autism center for Saudi children in the Eastern Province even closer. In September, Saudi Aramco’s partner, Shumua Alamal, selected the British-based Eagle House Group to help set up and operate the Shamah Autism Center. Based in Dammam, the center is set to open in early 2016 and will provide services for young autistic Saudis, ages 3 to 8 years, up to a maximum capacity of about 100 children. "We are proud of Saudi Aramco's sponsorship of the efforts to care for and educate Saudi children with autism,” said Huda M. Al Ghoson, executive director of Human Resources at Saudi Aramco. Saudi Aramco continues to build upon our long history of developing excellent services that serve the wider community, something that is not new to the company because it has always exerted considerable efforts in the development of society.” During the visit, Al Ghoson praised the center, its equipment, and the therapeutic and educational program that will develop the children’s skills. An Innovative Center The center will use best international practices in delivering effective interventions. In particular, international research recommends early, evidence-based intervention as crucial in maximizing child development. The center will be staffed by a team of experts in the fields of teaching special education curriculums, speech and language, occupational and physical therapy, behavioral support, psychology, and social services. Once evaluated, children will be placed in the daily program for up to six months and then re-evaluated to assess their response and the impact of the program. Building upon international best practices, the curriculum will be tailored to each child’s personality to help them grow and develop, as well as to meet the challenges and needs identified. The center also focuses on empowering families and helping them learn more about autism so that they can play a full role in improving and developing their children’s abilities in collaboration with the team of specialists. The center’s approach recognizes that every child has potential. A key focus of the staff will be preparing children for education in mainstream local schools, where this is appropriate. The center will work to build relationships with local schools and governance to achieve this goal. A Unique Partnership The partnership between Shumua Alamal and Eagle House Group is to bring international experience and evidence-based, best practices in the development of children with autism, as well as transfer expertise to the cadre of Saudi professionals training in the Kingdom. Paul Conrathe, founder and director of the Eagle Group House, said he was honored to be selected to partner with Shumua Alamal. "Our goal is to provide the highest quality services and be an example of best practices that will lead the way in Saudi Arabia,” Conrathe stated. Having worked in the field of autism for more than 20 years with thousands of families in the United Kingdom, Conrathe said his group focuses on three core values that will be applied at the Dammam facility, including:
- Aspiration. Whatever disability the child has, he or she has capabilities and potential. “They should be rehabilitated to live in society and be able to use their abilities and talents,” he said.
- Compassion. “We know perfectly well the feeling of parents of children with autism,” Conrathe explained. His schools in the U.K. are led by parents of children with autism.
- Partnerships. Working together with Shumua Alamal, Ebddah (the UAE-based special needs consultancy), Saudi Aramco, parents, and children to make a lasting difference in the lives of the children and their families.
“This cooperation between us and the Eagle House Group marks a new era for the autistic children in the Kingdom, as this institution has a long experience of caring for autistic children and the development of their abilities according to the latest scientific methods,” said Ahmad Al-Dobaikhi, director of Shumua Alamal. The Shamah Autism Center, established through a partnership between Saudi Aramco and Shumua Alamal, will have a maximum capacity of about 100 children. The British-based Eagle House Group will help set up and operate the center.