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A film to raise awareness about autism presented in Beirut on September 10, 2007
The film entitled “Each to their own music” was previewed in Beirut on September 10 at the French Embassy in the presence of many personalities. It illustrates exemplary cooperation between Santé Sud and 37 Lebanese associations. Santé Sud is a French N.G.O dedicated to the sustainable development of health and has been working in Lebanon, for many years alongside Lebanese associations active in the field of children’s handicaps. In January 2005, it set up a training program for autism carers comprising awareness raising, the training of medical and paramedical personnel, and training trainers with the aim of encouraging screening for autism and early treatment for children. Early diagnosis is vital to effective care procedures. A very beautiful (and useful) documentary film was therefore produced in Lebanon at Santé Sud’s initiative, in a partnership with the UNAPIEI-Lebanon (National Union of Associations of Parents and Institutions for Maladjusted Children), with the support of the European Union, the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Foundation of Lord Michelham of Hellingly, and sponsorship from sanofi-aventis. The film is targeted at educational specialists, general practitioners, pediatricians, specialist doctors and parents. It explains what autism is, how to screen for it, why it is so important that screening is carried out as early as possible, and how to work with the child. This film shows that this is a long and difficult process of progress and setbacks. The important feature is the close collaboration between everyone working with a child - always a unique individual. The testimonies enable everyone to make their contribution to a better understanding of autism and better care for the child, be they psychiatrist, speech therapist, specialized tutor, psychologist, psychomotor specialist or parent. This instructive and hope-giving documentary proves that the early screening and multidisciplinary care of autism are both possible and should become generally accepted. Other countries such as Tunisia and Algeria intend to seek inspiration from this experience. |