Sheikha Fareeha urges help to people with special needs and autism

Chairperson of the Kuwait Association for the Ideal Family Sheikha Fareeha Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah called here Friday for finding specific mechanisms for helping people with special needs and autism. Speaking to KUNA on the sidelines of the just-started 7th meeting of Arab Network for Autism (ANA), she said it is imperative to develop legal and social mechanisms for stemming the spreading of Autism. Calling for more care to people with special needs and autism, she said cooperation and coordination among Arab countries ought to be stepped up in order to ensure human safety and health. In this context, Sheikha Fareeha applauded the significant role of the State of Kuwait in supporting human and social issues in all events. People with special needs and autism need to be incorporated in the society so as to help them play a role in the building of their nations according to their capabilities, she said. Sheikha Fareeha has pledged financial funding to the Arab Network for Autism (ANA) for answering the needs of people with autism in the Arab world. Earlier in the day, the 7th meeting of Arab Network for Autism (ANA) kick-started at the UNESCO's Regional Bureau for Education under the auspices of Chairwoman of the Lebanese Society of Caring for the Handicapped Randa Beri. Addressing the gathering, she cautioned that the number of autistic patients is on the increase, citing a recent US survey as showing that autism percentage worldwide now affects one for every 150 people against one for every 500 previously. She called on Arab countries to pay more attention to autism by means of developing their health systems. Beri appreciated Sheikha Fareeha for her financial contribution to the ANA as a sign of her great support for autistic patients. The one-day meeting is attracting the Arab Network for Autism (ANA) board members, board of trustees, committee members and observers as well as UNESCO members.