Renad Academy, under Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE), provides much-needed help for children with autism in Qatar to learn the skills needed to integrate into the community and become productive members of the society.
Renad Academy, opened early this year, is a pioneering educational facility dedicated to helping children who have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Renad’s early intervention services aim to support families, says Buthaina Al Nuaimi, President of PUE, QF.
“Renad Academy provides safe and stimulating learning spaces for the cognitive growth of young students with autism. We believe in supporting the whole family during a child’s academic years and therefore offer Parental Support Services to assist parents in meeting their children’s needs,” said Al Nuaimi.
“We provide special attention and skills demonstrations for parents and care providers to learn how to best raise a child with autism. Our Parental Support Services are based on a family-focused approach to help support parents and their children within the home setting. In our school, families play an important role as key decision makers, and we recognise and value the expertise and knowledge of parents when it comes to helping children,” she added.
Students experience is normal school day routine similar to other schools, but each activity is tailored to ensure their success. Students receive adult support throughout their day to guide them through each activity.
“Our curriculum is specifically designed and has been researched to demonstrate it is useful for children with autism. We add a focus on teaching social skills and play to their school day, as acquiring these skills is not natural for our students. Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, and School Psychologists provide services each day to the students within their classrooms to increase their learning in communication, fine motor skills, sensory integration and positive behaviour,” said Al Nuaimi.
Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) has also collaborated very closely with QF’s Pre-University Education in the successful opening of Renad Academy. Also psychiatry services at Sidra collaborate with national and international education specialists and practitioners in helping children with autism and their families in the country.
“Assisting children with autism and their families is one of our priorities and we are trying to support them in every possible way. Sidra is involved in the National Autism Working Group, collaborating with stakeholders from around the country to prepare the National Autism Plan, which will be first of its kind in the region,” said Dr Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair of Psychiatry at Sidra.
Sidra is also collaborating with the World Innovation Summit (WISH)’s 2016 summit next week on autism which has experts presenting from all over the world.
The WISH Autism report will have important global policy recommendations for improving services for children and families.
