Who are we?

This is an interest group setup with the following objectives:

1. To educate the Maldivian society on autism, a developmental disorder affecting speech, social skills and behaviour;
(We aim to eduate the society on how to identify the symptoms of autism sothat parents can consult a concerned professional (a psycholigist or psychiatrist or a developmetal peadiarician) for a diagnosis before it is too late. While doing this we will discourage the society from labelling a child as autistic and feel indifferent towards him or her. On the contrary, we wish to make the society understand the need to be helpful and supportive towards them by providing information on how to treat such children and where the treatments or therapies are available.)

2. To voice the need for the establishment of diagnosis facilities throughout the country sothat intervention/therapy can be pursued as early as possible;
(Our understanding is that at present there is no means for parents to carry out a formal diagnosis on autism within the country, even if they wish for it. We should understand here that obtaining a formal diagnosis is not the best you can do for your child, but beginning an early intervention program or treatment for your child immediately after it, as success rates are high with those child who begins intervention/therapy at an early age.)

3. To voice the importance of establishing early intervention facilities/centres at the health institutions and elsewhere within the country; and
(We should understand that only a small number of families can afford to get treatment for their children overseas. So, early intervention facilities and scientifically proven therapies must be made available within the country and should be readily available at the local health institutions like other types of treatments. If not, the government must provide opportunities for these children to obtain treatment at affordable rates from places where they are available.)

4. To provide a platform whereby parents and professionals can discuss and share knowledge as well as resources to treat autism.
(Treatment of autism is rather difficult and complex, as there is no ONE cure for it. Symptoms of autism can go away or minimise with treatment. Although some claim autism is incurable records of children who have come out of it and no longer show the symptoms of autism do exist! Whichever the case is, treatment of autism can guarantee an autistic child to be more independent and better off than who has not obtained it. The most important aspect of treatment is obtaining learning resources and guidance from other parents as well as professionals to deal with the children with autism.)

We shall welcome local contributors in order to enrich this weblog with information and resouces useful for the Maldivian society. If you are interested to become a contributor please do not hesitate to write to us stating why you want to be become one. Our email is autismmaldives@yahoo.com