Autism cases show increase
Abu Dhabi |By Barbara
Bibbo' | 21-12-2002
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Autism is
affecting an increasing number of children in the UAE, despite
greater attention and new measures taken by the local authorities to
stem the problem, said local experts.
The disability which about 10 years ago in the UK was affecting 10
children in 10,000, is today detected in 63 out of 10,000, and the
trend in the UAE is likely to mimic the international increase.
According to Dr Derrick Smith, psychiatrist at the University of
British Columbia, currently visiting the UAE, the increase is not
only due to higher awareness about autism which contributes to
detecting a bigger number of cases, but to a probable increase in
the spectrum of the risk factors which scientific researches are
trying to bring to surface.
Although the UAE has no official studies on the incidence of autism
in the country, an increased number of cases has led to the opening
of five new centres in the last two years, a local expert added.
Dr Mowafaq Mustafa, Deputy Director of the Abu Dhabi Future Centre,
which hosts some patients, said that increased attention by the UAE
authorities is contributing to dispel the confusion and ignorance
about the disability, which was prevalent just two years ago.
"Many centres have been opened in the last two years to treat
autistic patients, including the Sharjah and Dubai centres for
Autism, the Abu Dhabi Red Crescent's centre, the Abu Dhabi Sheikha
Shamsa's centre and the Abu Dhabi Educational Zone Centre.
"Knowledge about the disease is increasing but more has to be done
to help these patients, since behavioural treatment which is very
long and expensive is to date the only effective way to stem the
problem."
Speaking on the sidelines of a conference on autism the two
specialists said the UAE could have a number of cases which remain
undetected, since the disability is easily misdiagnosed.
The conference was sponsored by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan,
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and honourary
president of the Future Centre.
"Autistic children reveal a wide spectrum of symptoms including
attention deficit, social interaction problems, communication
difficulties, in some cases hyperactivity and delay in the motor
skills."
Dr Smith added: "The main cause is genetic, but many other factors
can contribute to the disorder to reveal itself like exposure to
radiations, viral infections during pregnancy, lack of oxygen during
childbirth, meningitis, brain infection, and others. Nevertheless,
in many cases the cause remains unknown."
According to him detection of the disability is often delayed,
because the symptoms are mistaken for bad social behaviour. Patients
are blamed of abnormal social conduct or mental retardation and this
jeopardises their capability of playing a role in society forever.
"Early detection and intensive behavioural treatment can help the
patients to run almost a normal life, although they will never
recover completely. Behavioural therapy is very long and expensive,
requiring a one to one interaction with a therapist and up to 40
hours a week exercise with the patients."
Dr Smith, who is in the UAE on a special visit to promote awareness,
also assessed some cases.
He announced the preparation of a visit by some international
experts to be in the UAE in February next year to continue the
awareness campaign on the disability. |
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