Press — autism

Autism: Qatar World Cup 0

For the first time at the tournament, specially designed ‘sensory rooms’ have been created at three stadiums in Qatar where neurodiverse children with autism and sensory processing issues can watch the games in a calm environment. The creation of the sensory rooms were part of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC)’s initiative to ensure the tournament is “accessible to all fans, regardless of their disability”.

Can the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 mean greater visibility of children with disabilities? 0

Without understanding what constitutes a disability and everything that is contingent on it, how can anyone reflect on questions of equity, access, and inclusion of children with disabilities? How will prejudices, preconceptions, and mistruths be addressed if there is no incentive to reflect?

Accessibility Goal: Inside Qatar's World Cup Sensory Rooms 0

STORY: Location: Al Khor, QatarFor the first time in World Cup history, three stadiums are offering ‘sensory rooms’

(Mark Dyer, Inclusive Design Adviser, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy)

Watch the video here.

"A sensory room for those who don't know is a place where we can bring autistic children and adults, or associated neurodiverse disabilities to come and enjoy a football match in an environment that feels safe and secure. The place itself is set up to give them activities, give them calm, relaxation and opportunities to get away from some of the stimulations in the match that they could find challenging otherwise."

For those with certain sensory requirements,large, loud crowds can be overwhelming and a barrier to attending matches. The stadiums were built with hopes ofachieving the most accessible World Cup ever.

(Alison Saraf, Co-Owner of ‘Sensory Souk’, Mother of child with autism diagnosis)

"So what you will see around the room is a lot of equipment that provides a lot of support for them on different levels just depending on what their requirements are. As you see we have a lot of fibre optic lights."

"They are all very tactile but they also provide as I said this input these individuals need to calm and refocus their bodies."

Source: Yahoo News!

Stadiums in Qatar have Rooms for Autistic People 0

DOHA (AP) — Insulated from the deafening noise, lights and pyrotechnics that surround World Cup matches, there is a safe space for fans who might feel overwhelmed by the atmosphere of a stadium.

The journey of raising a child with special needs 0

On January 1, 2019, Sensory Souk opened the doors to its first retail outlet in Qatar,” shared Raana. The response of the people to the facility has been overwhelming and positive. “We have been much busier than we anticipated.

Sensory Souk: A unique store for children with additional needs 0

Doha: A unique store in Doha offers products to help address challenges faced by children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) mainly due to Autism. 

The first-of-its-kind shop ‘Sensory Souk’, in Royal Plaza, provides a wide range of therapy tools and toys for children with Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder and other developmental delays.