An exhibition of art work created by Saudi autistic children will be put on display this weekend in one of the kingdom’s most prestigious hotels, as part of efforts to support and raise awareness of children diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder.

Rosewood Corniche has partnered with the Jeddah Autism Centre, one of Al Faisaliah Women’s Welfare Association’s initiatives, to host the event under the patronage of HRH Princess Fahda bint Saud Al Saud, on June 2. 

The invite-only event will be attended by parents of children with autism, local artists, VIPS and representatives of the Gulf Ladies Union of Autism, a statement from the hotel said.

The event follows an art competition which was launched in Doha in April as part of Autism Awareness Month and has been organised in recognition of the competition’s winner, a Saudi national child with autism who is cared for at the Jeddah Autism Centre.

The exhibition which will take place at the Habsburg restaurant, will feature 22 paintings and drawings which depict typical life across the GCC, the statement said.

The children were asked to create work which illustrated the relationship between the six GCC states. Patrons at the event who want to buy any of the pieces will have the opportunity to purchase a reprint; all the original works will return to Jeddah Autism Centre, it said.

While research on the prevalence of autism in the Middle East region is still in relative infancy, studies conducted in Europe and the US estimate that one in every 155 newborn children has some form of autism and that it is four times more likely to affect boys compared to girls. 

The Jeddah Autism Centre, a non-profit organisation, is the first of its kind in the kingdom and considered to be one of the leading social institutions offering good quality educational programmes and support for families affected by autism. 

“This art exhibition is our first initiative with Jeddah Autism Centre but we hope to develop a long term relationship with them in light of the incredible work they’re offering in the kingdom for autistic children and their parents,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director of Rosewood Corniche.

“We are committed to playing our part in the local Jeddah community and I’m personally looking forward to meeting some of the children and seeing their creations celebrated in this way,” he said. – TradeArabia News Service