People with special needs in Hadramaut...difficulties facing their rehabilitation and integration into society

The Hadhramaut Autism Foundation is struggling, with limited capabilities, to support children with autism syndrome and help their families in rehabilitating and training them and integrating this group into society, but today it is facing several challenges, despite their importance.

The institution, which is considered one of the most prominent pioneering institutions in the city of Mukalla in Hadhramaut Governorate, eastern Yemen, was established in 2012 under the name Hadhramaut Association, and it cared for 50 children with special needs (autism, dystrophy, Down syndrome, and learning difficulties).

By the year 2015, the name was changed to the Hadhramaut Autism Association, increasing the number of children to 120 children at that time. In 2017, the association witnessed a qualitative shift and the name was then changed to become the Hadhramaut Autism Foundation, which today represents a glimmer of hope for children with autism and their families in Hadhramaut, despite what was directed at them. Challenges.

Rehabilitation of people with special needs

Iman Muhammad Al-Raidi, Executive Director of the Hadhramaut Autism Foundation, said that one of the foundation’s goals is to enable children with special needs to help themselves and their families, play their effective roles in society, and help them integrate into society, by providing an appropriate environment and modern educational means for children in the foundation.

She pointed out that the Foundation works to guide families and society on how to deal with children from these groups and train human cadres in facilities that care for this segment of children.

She pointed out that as a result of the narrow building and the lack of an operational budget, the institution is still carrying out its activity in a residential building that is not suitable for this segment, which made it unable to accommodate additional numbers of children, pointing out that the institution is currently seeking to build its own site after obtaining the appropriate land to establish it, which will be replaced by A problem with not accepting children who are waiting.

Paras explained that the organization is still facing a number of logistical challenges, namely the difficulty in obtaining the necessary materials, equipment, and toys to release energy in children with special needs and to implement its programs and activities.

Due to the continuous power outages and the increasing temperatures in the summer, the institution suffers from the inability to accommodate children and their intolerance to heat. This comes as a result of the fact that most autistic children suffer from electrical charges, which greatly affects them and their training and rehabilitation. Therefore, it is in urgent need of air conditioning and alternatives to continuing the electrical current. In the institution.

The role of society

Abeer Khard, technical director of the Hadhramaut Foundation, points out the lack of community awareness about autism disorder, which leads to the stigmatization of autistic children and their families. She told "Yemen Shabab Net" that community awareness about this disorder can be enhanced. It is important for society to play an important role in providing support and awareness to people with autism and their families through awareness and education (media), creating support groups for people with autism and their families, and providing psychological support.

She stressed that society needs to enhance acceptance and solidarity with autistic children, to make them always feel welcome and accepted, to integrate with them, and to employ individuals with autism disorder in some professions that they can master. Indeed, some have distinctive skills and their creativity must be appreciated.

She added that autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the child in the process of communication and social interaction and includes specific and repetitive patterns of behavior, explaining that the “autism spectrum” refers to the presence of a multiple set of symptoms and signs at different levels of severity.

Regarding ways to deal with autistic children, the organization’s workers go a long way to help them, and the most important of these methods is adherence to an illustrated timetable or daily routine that encourages autistic children to adhere to tasks and know their daily routine. The child must be prepared in advance in the event of any necessary change in the timetable.

Another way is to understand their feelings, accept them, and the need to interact with them through group activities and their favorite games, such as running, playing ball, jumping, etc., to release their energies and help them with visual-motor coordination. They also need love, respect, hugs, and positive reinforcement, that is, reinforcing the positives that the child does by giving him His favorite reinforcers.

Al-Khurd stressed that parents should not give up and give the child enough time to improve and search for many different techniques and approaches that help in discovering what is best for the child and not get discouraged and be patient, and train the child in a safe and comfortable environment free of distractions and using visual means and models that he likes.

Family and social support is of great importance, as the family is considered the main pillar in developing autistic children and helping them achieve their potential, as parents are required to support their children, understand their needs, and be able to deal with their special challenges. Parents must have the knowledge and skills necessary to interact with their children in effective and appropriate ways, and make them feel loved, cared for, and trusted. In their abilities and not comparing them to others.

According to an Amnesty International report , millions of people with disabilities in Yemen have endured years of armed conflict, and were even among the groups most exposed to exclusion in the midst of this humanitarian crisis. There are at least four and a half million Yemenis with disabilities who only have access to Scarce support.