Paper hails ATF\'s decision to open special-needs school

Autistic child with his teacher As one of the more complex issues confronting society, autism needs all the attention it can get from authorities and policy-makers, commented a U.A.E. daily. "Parents of autistic children need every form of help to ably deal with the upbringing of their children. The physical, emotional and psychological dimensions of care for an autistic child are wide and far-reaching and the bulk of the help comes from infrastructure that can offer a range of facilities to educate and train the requisite therapist", said 'Gulf News' in its editorial today.
The decision by the Autism Trust Fund (ATF) to open a special-needs integrated school that will reserve 30 per cent of its seats for autistic children and aim to provide treatment and schooling at the lowest possible cost, is a step in the right direction. One of the most pressing concerns for parents of autistic children is the expenditure.
"Every move towards reducing this pressure will help parents channel their energies better in playing one of the most challenging roles they have been given by life", concluded the paper.
Source: WAM