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Autism Awareness Week: According to UAE experts, there is still a “far-reaching lack of understanding.”

Due to the widespread lack of knowledge about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), eminent UAE psychologists are advising parents to be aware of the indications and symptoms.

Rania Ali, a psychologist at the Priory Wellness Centre in Dubai, said during World Autism Acceptance Week (March 27–April 3), “This not only leads to late diagnosis, but it can also produce a lack of understanding and compassion for persons with autistic needs.”

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This occasionally can result in bullying, mocking, and unfair treatment.

More education, according to Ali, will eliminate certain persistent myths.

There is a misconception that people with autism have low IQs.She told Al Arabiya English that some people, on the other hand, think that people with autism are all highly competent in particular areas. The reality is that an intellectual handicap and autistic spectrum disorder can co-occur frequently but not always, and that only a small proportion of people with these conditions have remarkable skills in some fields. It’s important to understand how distinctive each person with ASD is.

When we talk about autism, we’re talking about a wide range of conditions marked by difficulties with speech, nonverbal communication, social skills, and repetitive behavior.

The idea that autistic persons lack empathy for others, in Ali’s opinion, is the most widely held misconception regarding the condition.

“Autistic individuals perceive emotions, but they lack the same ability to articulate them.

Many ASD symptoms can be identified as early as 24 months of age, according to studies.

“I’d advise all parents of young infants and toddlers to familiarize themselves with some of the typical signs of ASD. In order to assist secure the best outcome, I would suggest any parents with concerns to seek support as soon as possible before the child reaches the age of two. By doing so, a professional can confidently make a diagnosis.

The expert emphasized the need of paying attention when a child’s behavior deviates from their chronological age.