Lattakia-Sana
The "Autistic Authors" exhibition of handmade products organized by the Autism Society in Latakia over three days shed light on the talents possessed by members of this category and the creations they can offer in various fields.
Artifacts of beads, raw wax, gypsum, and paper created by the fingers of 28 young men and women over a period of 3 months under the supervision of teachers from the association's vocational rehabilitation unit as well as 45 paintings in oil and water colors included in the exhibition held on the occasion of the International Day for People with Special Needs.
Shahida Salloum, Chair of the Association’s Board of Directors, said in a statement to correspondence with Sana that the exhibition’s goal is to raise awareness of the community in this category and to emphasize their ability to be active and productive individuals if appropriate conditions are provided for them, indicating that what distinguishes this year's edition of the exhibition from its previous competencies is the progress achieved and the mastery of the participants The skills they acquired in addition to a gesture is the first of its kind represented by the participation of a number of autistic children within the "Hawakir" initiative to plant a number of laurel trees at the entrance to Latakia.
Marina Selim, the professional qualification of the association, and the mother of the young Zain Al-Wazah, 17, one of the participants in the exhibition, indicated that vocational rehabilitation is one of the areas of the individual educational program for each young person and aims to prepare students who are able to produce through a series of stages according to their age groups starting with the establishment 4 - 8 years It ends in manufacturing 13 and above, through the formation stage (8-12 years).
The mother of the young Moataz Jadid, 20, one of the association’s students, expressed pride in her son and the happiness that she overwhelms every time he is able to accomplish a piece of beaded accessory or a wax or gypsum shape, thanks to the teachers and teachers in the association for enabling this class to empty their energies positively and effectively.
In turn, the plastic artist Hussam Abu Assi from Sweida explained that this is his second participation with the association through a mural in which autistic children, the arc of victory and the Syrian flag were embodied, along with a number of paintings whose topics varied between portraiture and enrichment in the beauty of the rural nature in Lattakia and women as a symbol of good and giving.
Sophia is an amateur ostrich for plastic art and she has participated in a number of water and oil paintings inspired by the festive atmosphere of festivals and others boasting of the cheerful colors of summer, she explained that her modest participation comes as a kind of encouragement to enhance the confidence of autistic children in their abilities.
The Autism Society was founded in 2006 in the city of Latakia and provides a series of health and rehabilitation services for individuals who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder of all ages, in addition to training courses for parents to help them understand how to deal with their children and refine their behavior and know the cases they may go through.
Rasha Raslan