The New England Centre for Children Abu Dhabi (NECC-AD) opened its doors in February this year. The two-villa facility offers tools and educational mechanisms to children living in the city with autism, as well as support for their families. Autism has been gathering awareness in the public arena as well as the media, and the NECC in the capital is tasked with aiding these little ones adopt skills that will help their future.
Children with autism exhibit impaired social skills and signs can usually be detected by the age of two or three. Ideally, diagnosis should be made at an early age, preferably at around 18 months, so that treatment can begin. While the symptoms vary from case to case, clear indicators include delayed learning abilities, problems with relating to other people, as well as compulsive behaviours such as stacking toys. If you suspect that your child may be autistic, it is always a good idea to consult some online resources, such as www.helpguide .org, www.autismweb.com and www.autismspeaks.org. It is also advisable to consult with your pediatrician or go directly to a specialist.
While there is no cure, there are ways to help those with autism become more independent or socially functional. Cases vary according to severity; but nearly all cases can improve to a certain degree with behavioural therapy and support. This is where the NECC-AD comes in.
We spoke to Dr Daniel Gould, PhD, BCBA-D, and chief clinical officer at the NECC-AD about the facility and their services. ‘We have been working in Abu Dhabi since 1997 and were invited in 2006 to make a proposal about services for kids with autism.
We were initially working with individual families here. At first we worked with children aged three to six, now we have expanded to work with children up to nine.’
Operating in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Education Council, the NECC-AD has ambitions of being able to work with older children, up to university level. Support from government institutions has been crucial because it has allowed for greater visibility and transparency in their operations. ‘We have been very lucky to receive the support of the Abu Dhabi Education Council in our quest to reach people.’
The services offered include classrooms that run all year round, as well offering help finding places in regular schools. ‘Depending on the abilities of each child, some can be integrated into regular classrooms, with some help, and there have been some success stories.’ The programmes offered use a mix of behavioural therapy and educational methods that can help some children function better in normal surroundings.
Having personally worked with the NECC for 26 years, Daniel asserts that part of the reason for the centre’s success is its strong commitment to its employees and the cause. ‘The company supported me furthering my studies and getting my doctorate, which in turn made me more suited for the role I am in.’ Daniel stresses that support from the staff is crucial and as such, learning new techniques is vital. ‘We don’t have any magical remedies, just very dedicated and hard working people who make a difference.
The centre also organises regular free outreach programmes and workshops for the community; bringing together families with autistic children and providing a platform for communication. ‘While there used to be a lot of stigma attached to the label ‘autistic’, people in the capital have been gaining awareness and are more open to discussion about the situation.’ A crucial element is the support given by families and Daniel has noticed that families in the city are open to new methods and solutions.
The plans for the future are expansion and reaching as many children in the capital as possible. ‘It’s also about spreading knowledge; if we can teach ten people how to handle people with autism, and they each in turn teach ten people, then we are achieving something very positive.’
For more information visit www.neccabudhabi.org (02 691 8888).
Spotting autism
Some common signs of autism in children include:
Difficulty maintaining eye contact.
No babbling by 12 months.
No use of words by 16 months.
Repetitive behaviour, such as stacking or lining up objects.
