Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, today visited the headquarters of the Dubai Autism Center. 

He was received by His Excellency Hisham Abdullah Al Qassim, Chairman of the Dubai Autism Center, in the presence of His Excellency Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Director General of the Community Development Authority, Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General of the Dubai Autism Center, and members of the Center’s Board of Directors.

Speaking on the occasion, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said Dubai places the greatest priority on integrating people of determination into the fabric of society and providing them the highest quality of health, educational and cultural services. He said the leadership is committed to providing people of determination all the facilities and services needed to enable them to contribute equally to social and economic life and develop their talent and human potential.

His Highness was briefed on the operations of the Center and the educational, psychological and rehabilitative programmes it provides to people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, in accordance with the highest global standards and best practices. His Highness was also briefed on the educational methodologies used to teach 115 students enrolled in the Center’s school system this year. During the visit, HH Sheikh Hamdan toured the Center’s various facilities and met with the students and staff of each department. 

At the end of the visit, His Excellency Hisham Abdullah Al Qassim, Chairman of the Dubai Autism Center, presented His Highness with a commemorative trophy. He thanked His Highness for the visit and wished him continued success in his humanitarian endeavours.
In 2017, the Dubai Autism Center moved to its new headquarters, which contains 34 classrooms, 22 motor therapy clinics, 18 speech and speech therapy clinics, three rooms specialised in sensory therapy, and a number of laboratories, facilities and medical clinics, all designed according to the latest specialised international standards, providing the appropriate educational environment for children with autism. The financial resources of the Center consist of subsidies, donations and charitable endowments.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life. ASD can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. According to recent studies, one in 54 children is affected by ASD.