Based on the directives of His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation, and in line with the social responsibility of the Foundation, and in fulfillment of its vision (health and education for a better life), the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation provided financial support to the Qatar Autism Society worth 816 thousand riyals with the aim of helping the association perform its tasks, implement its programs, and achieve its goals in serving, caring, integrating and empowering people with autism spectrum disorder in society. The Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation signed an agreement to support the Qatar Autism Society at the Foundation’s headquarters, where Mr. Fawzaz Eid Al Shammari, Director of the Support Services Department, signed on behalf of the Foundation, while Mr. Muhammad Faisal, Director General of the Society, signed on behalf of the Qatar Autism Society.

Qatar Autism Society

For her part, Sheikha Jawaher bint Fahd bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairwoman of the Founding Council of the Qatar Autism Society, said in a press statement, “We extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation for its generous support for the association, noting that the Qatar Autism Society, which was declared by a decision of His Excellency the Minister Administrative Development, Labor and Social Affairs on December 21, 2017 – as a non-profit social association – aims to integrate and empower people with autism spectrum disorder in Qatari society, In addition to spreading awareness of autism disorder and creating a community culture that leads to understanding, integrating and embracing people with autism, as well as communicating with all sectors of the country to ensure improvement and development of the level of services provided to people with autism in all fields.

Families of autistic children

Sheikha Jawaher bint Fahd bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani added, “We seek for the Qatar Autism Society to be the first launching pad for families of autistic children after diagnosis through a comprehensive database of available services, activities, and practices.”

Pointing out that the association’s strategy depends on providing educational support to families with autism on how to deal with various challenges through training programs and workshops, as well as training cadres specialized in rehabilitating people with autism in order to raise the level of their abilities and also implementing many activities, events and training courses that contribute to the integration of people with autism. In society, stressing that the association’s vision is to raise society’s awareness and understanding of the nature and characteristics of people with autism spectrum disorder and the necessity of accepting and integrating them.

Excellence in charitable work

Mr. Fawaz Eid Al-Shammari, Director of the Support Services Department at the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation, said in a press statement, “The Foundation pays great attention to the health and education sectors within its internal project map in order to contribute to community development,” noting that the Foundation’s support for the Qatar Autism Society comes within the framework of its keenness to The Foundation, as part of its societal responsibility, aims to support institutions, associations, and health and educational initiatives in order to serve and care for various segments of society, especially those with autism spectrum disorder.

He added, “The Foundation’s support agreement for the Qatar Autism Society comes within the internal projects plan that aims to sponsor civil society institutions concerned with the health and education sectors in order to achieve the Foundation’s vision (health and education for a better life).

Al-Shammari stressed the Foundation’s keenness to strengthen its partnerships with various ministries, institutions and bodies in the country and to sponsor and support purposeful activities and events that contribute to community awareness of health and educational issues in order to achieve its vision and goals. Pointing out that the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation seeks to achieve leadership, excellence and creativity in the field of charitable and humanitarian work. Contributing to supporting health awareness activities in order to serve and care for various segments of society.

The Director of the Support Services Department at the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation concluded his statement by stressing that the Qatar Autism Society plays a distinguished role in rehabilitating people with autism spectrum disorder. It needs the support and solidarity of various institutions in the country.

Thanks and appreciation

For his part, Mr. Mohammed Faisal, Director General of the Qatar Autism Society, praised the support of the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation for the association and extended his thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani – the founder – and His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, noting that Financial support to the Jassim and Hamad bin Jassim Charitable Foundation will contribute to the Qatar Autism Society achieving its goals and mission of caring for and integrating people with autism disorder.

200 members of the association

Muhammad Faisal added in a press statement that the association currently includes 200 members from age groups ranging from 6 to 40 years with autism disorder, But we aspire to record all cases found in the country, regardless of nationality. This is because we seek in the association to create a comprehensive database and we establish partnerships and cooperation between providers of services related to education, health and sports. The association issued membership cards to them that include a range of services and discounts, including facilities at airport services, discounts on children’s toys in commercial complexes, participation in horse-riding programs and swimming in sports clubs, indicating that there is cooperation and coordination between the association and many ministries, bodies and institutions in society, including the ministries of interior and endowments. Health, Shafallah Centre, Al Shaqab, Friends of Mental Health Association (Weyak), Al Sadd and Al Arabi Clubs, Barzan Youth Center and Qatar Charity.

Breaking the psychological barrier

Regarding the association’s participation in events, Muhammad Faisal explained that the association participated in the National Day and State Sports Day activities during the year 2018 by organizing sports and awareness activities for people with autism disorder and their families, stressing that the association has contributed significantly since its announcement about 14 months ago in breaking the psychological barrier among families. People with autism, defining and educating the community through seminars, courses, participation in national events, and emphasizing that autism is not a disease, but rather a disorder and difference, and requires special care and attention for people who suffer from this disorder.

Project (how much will we complete)

Regarding the future plans of the Qatar Autism Society, Muhammad Faisal said, “During the coming period, we seek to enhance cooperation with various agencies in the country to support the society’s programs and activities, in addition to preparing to implement an awareness project entitled (How Much We Are Complete), which is a training, educational, and therapeutic program for children on the autism spectrum from the age of 6 to 13.” A year that aims to qualify and train them so that they can rely on themselves in meeting their daily needs and developing their mental abilities. Pointing out that one of the most important projects is launching the website of the Qatar Autism Society and organizing training programs for families of people with autism spectrum disorder with internationally accredited bodies.

Regarding volunteering in the association, he said that the association welcomes volunteers of both sexes to participate in implementing training and rehabilitation programs.