"Emirates Autism" A session on the prevention of addiction to adolescents is organized
Abu Dhabi, June 28 / WAM / The Emirates Autism Society, in cooperation with Al -Amal Hospital for Mental Health of the Emirates Health Services Corporation, and the Skina Center for Psychiatry of the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company “Health”, organized a specialized dialogue session entitled: “Prevention of addiction between adolescents with determination: challenges and proposed solutions”, within the activities of the Drug Prevention Forum 2025.
The dialogue session aimed to highlight the issues related to the category of young people with determination, especially from the autistic spectrum category, in the context of addiction prevention programs.
The session was moderated by the engineer Amal Al -Karbi, the General Coordinator of the Emirates Autism Society, in which Dr. Mishaal Sultan, consultant psychiatry for children and adolescents at Al -Amal Hospital, and Chairman of the Scientific Research and Health Committee at the Emirates Autism Society, and Dr. Abdel -Azim Abdel -Rahman, consultant psychiatry and addiction at the Sakina Center.
Dr. Mishaal Sultan reviewed the most prominent risk factors associated with drug addiction among adolescents who have anxiety, noting that the category of adolescents is male, especially those who suffer from hyperactivity and weak social ties, may be more likely to engage in addictive behaviors, especially in the absence of parental control and family pressure.
For his part, Dr. Abdel -Azim Abdel -Rahman pointed to the early indicators that parents or teachers can notice, which call for an early awareness or preventive intervention, such as sudden changes in behavior, social isolation, and change in the pattern of sleep or mood, and also talked about the importance of the comprehensive evaluation of the psychological and social state of adolescents of this category, before starting any drug or treatment interference.
With regard to the second axis, on the limitations of traditional preventive programs in responding to the needs of people of determination, Dr. Abdel -Azim Abdel -Rahman stressed the need to develop content commensurate with the cognitive and behavioral capabilities of this category, and depends on visual and physical communication, interactive activities, and positive repetition.
In turn, Dr. Mishaal Sultan stressed that the participation of people of determination in preventive programs requires a prepared educational and training environment, and to provide a trained staff on effective communication with students on the autistic spectrum, reviewing the basic characteristics of effective school programs, including the involvement of the family, the adaptation of the environment and the curricula, the support of the staff, and the provision of clear resources that help teachers in discovering dangerous behaviors early.
As for the third axis, on practical proposals to enhance prevention, Dr. Abdel -Azim Abdel -Rahman indicated the need to include concepts of prevention in educational curricula, the development of training evidence for school staff, and the expansion of community mental health services in schools and centers of determination.
The fourth axis discussed the role of the parents, where Dr. Mishaal Sultan explained that the family represents the cornerstone of prevention and support, through the early observation of behavioral changes, enhancing communication, and providing a clear routine, as well as teaching the child the skills of proper adaptation, and being a good example for their children.
On the sidelines of the dialogue session, Dr. Mishaal Sultan and Dr. Abdel -Azim Abdel -Rahman stressed in their statements to the Emirates News Agency / WAM / the importance of such activities in spreading awareness among members of society, noting the importance of parental control to protect children from the dangers of drugs and psychotropic substances.
For its part, the Emirates Autism Society affirmed that organizing this dialogue session within this national forum as the initiative of the Ministry of Interior comes out of its commitment to enhancing societal awareness, supporting preventive efforts, and enabling the families of people of determination.
She stressed the importance of solidarity of the third sector and public benefit institutions with government institutions, to build an integrated system for prevention and care.
She stressed the importance of the vital role of the third sector, noting that associations of public benefit, such as the Emirates Autism Society, are an active partner in implementing sustainable societal initiatives.
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