Despite being a non-profit institution the Ras Al Khaimah Autism Centre is facing closure due to a serious shortage of financial and technical support.

As such the 22 students enrolled at the centre may not be able to complete their proper rehabilitation here according to Aisha Al Shamsi manager of the centre.

So far 12 children are on the waiting list of the semi-voluntary rehabilitation centre. They cannot be accommodated due to lack of facilities according to a senior official. The centre has been facing financial crisis since the past three years.

"Though they are in need for urgent rehabilitation 12 children have been on the waiting list since the past three years."

The centre temporarily located at the Ghib area in Ras Al Khaimah was founded in 2006 by philanthropists Al Shamsi said.

"The centre is the only specialised qualified facility to receive autistic children of Emirati and expatriate families in the emirate and it is the first centre to be scientifically founded here."

Al Shamsi said the centre meant to have a positive impact on the future of autistic students may be shut down soon. Many children have stopped attending the centre now. "This is actually due to the suspension of the monthly financial support to the centre since December 2015."

The centre which is home to many children of low-income families may now be run by an investment body which means a hike in fees she pointed out. "The centre only charges 25 per cent of the actual costs which comes to Dh60000 per child every year."

The new building charitably constructed by the Sharjah Islamic Bank can actually accommodate more children and provide better services she stated. "However it has been suspended or remained closed due to lack of financial support."

Al Shamsi pointed out that the new centre can accommodate up to 100 children but it remains closed due to financial constraints. "We cannot pay the Dh220000 fees required for power supply or the over Dh400000 costs needed for furnishing the centre."

This is apart from other expenses spanning the leveling of the land surrounding the new building and other external works she noted.

The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah and the RAK Poultry take care of some of the centre's expense Al Shamsi said. "Some parents cannot even pay the minimum 25 per cent fees and that adds to the financial burdens on the Dh2.5 to Dh3 million annual budget of the centre. As many as 20 qualified employees devotedly working at the centre."

What is autism?

Autism spectrum disorder is a developmental disability that can significantly affect a person's social emotional and communication skills. It is characterised by lack of communication and social interaction and a tendency towards being isolated from others.Identification of the disorder is difficult before the age of 12 months but diagnosis is possible by the age of two years.

Autism in the UAE

According to the World Health Organisation one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder. The disorder is prevalent in one in 42 boys and in the UAE it is one in 50 children.Though there are many autism centres in the UAE most of them are operating at full capacity with several students in the waiting list.

Last year Khaleej Times learnt that an estimated 600 children are waiting to secure a place in at least seven autism centres in Dubai and start some form of treatment.No official data is available in the UAE on the total number of children or adults suffering from any form of autism spectrum disorders.

Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here I worked as an English language instructor chief En/Ar translator proofreader reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media Cairo University 2014 a bachelor degree in English language and translation Ain Shams University Cairo 1996 and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation interpretation EFL instruction and reporting. I am interested in technology aviation politics as well as community parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading writing exercising and surfing the web.