Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Governor of Jazan Region, the Autism Coordinating Committee, implemented by the Ladan Association, launched the Autism Associations Forum 2024 in Jazan City on Sunday, December 15. The forum was attended by the honorary chairman of the committee, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan Al Saud, and featured the participation of over 49 specialized autism associations from across the Kingdom, alongside key leaders from the Council of Charitable Associations and entities concerned with autism.
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The forum aims to introduce the Autism Coordinating Committee, which is the first committee dedicated to autism in the country. It also seeks to achieve sustainable development for autism associations in the sector by enhancing the services provided to individuals with autism through support and assistance to specialized associations, benefiting from the experiences of distinguished associations, and enabling these associations to keep pace with technological advancements. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of digital transformation and explores ways to develop innovative funding tools to support financial sustainability.
The forum included several panel discussions featuring a number of speakers who are specialists and consultants in various fields such as developmental housing, the National Center for Developmental Disorders, family support, artificial intelligence, and more.
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The honorary chairman of the committee, His Highness Prince Saud bin Abdulaziz bin Farhan Al Saud, expressed: “It is heartening to meet here today with a noble purpose that unites us, which is to empower, develop, and enhance the services provided to individuals with autism and their families, ensuring they have better opportunities on multiple levels. This is achieved through the gathering of prominent leaders in the sector and associations under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. This forum began in the capital, Riyadh, last year, and today we are in one of the most important regions of our beloved Kingdom—Jazan. This underscores our commitment to raising awareness and providing quality, comprehensive care for our beloved individuals with autism in different regions of the Kingdom. We thank God for what has been facilitated and ask for His assistance and success in all that is to come.”
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As part of a series of plans to enhance the quality of services provided to individuals with autism, the forum dedicated a signing platform for several important agreements. The Autism Coordinating Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with Hisham Hassan Hanbouli International Law Firm to provide legal services for autism associations in the Kingdom.
In order to develop the capabilities within the associations, the committee signed a memorandum of understanding with Shumaat Autism Rehabilitation Company to offer services in technical, operational, and administrative aspects to autism associations across the Kingdom.
Additionally, the committee partnered with Waqeb Data and Communications Company to support autism associations nationwide in achieving digital transformation at the highest standards and comprehensive empowerment in this regard. The committee also signed a memorandum of understanding with Jaz International Company to provide consulting services, logistical support, and administrative solutions for autism associations in the Kingdom, as well as with Jazi Medical Company to offer therapeutic and cosmetic services, along with dental care for the children of associations with autism spectrum disorder.
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The chairperson of the Autism Coordinating Committee, Ms. Areej Al-Muallim, stated: “We are pleased today with this tireless effort and the supportive leadership role that we have come to expect. This is aimed at achieving a qualitative shift in the services provided in the autism sector through the establishment of innovative projects and the implementation of pioneering initiatives to empower community associations to achieve impactful results for beneficiaries. This will be done through coordinating, unifying, and mobilizing efforts to build a developed and sustainable movement according to the highest standards and levels. Our goal is to ensure a better quality of life for thousands of individuals with autism and their families across various fields and at all levels, asking Almighty God for guidance and success.”
It is noted that the first forum for autism associations at the national level was held in Riyadh last year.