ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Autism Society of America on Thursday commended Rudaw Media Network for its campaign aimed at raising awareness towards the challenges faced by people with autism in the Kurdistan Region.
“The Autism Society of America would like to acknowledge and express appreciation for the efforts and outcomes that your awareness campaign generated. By impacting public policies and perceptions your organization has worked to benefit autistic children and their families across your region,” said Candice Hopkins, National Helpline Manager of Autism Society of America.
The American Autism Society is one of the oldest and most influential advocacy groups in the United States. Founded in 1965 by Bernard Rimland and Ivar Lovaas, the group is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland.
Rudaw Media Network extensively covered autism in the Kurdistan Region for a week from August 7 to August 14. The coverage brought dozens of stories of the difficult lives of children with autism and their families to viewers and officials in the Kurdistan Region and the world.
RELATED: Lack of support, tolerance turns Kurdistan into hell for autistic children
“This certificate and award opens a wide door to show the situation of people with autism in the Kurdistan Region and submit projects to receive assistance for them from international organization,” Rudaw Media Network said in a statement.
According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a total of 3,489 people in the Kurdistan Region have autism. The highest number of cases of autism are in Erbil province with 1,400 cases, followed by Sulaimani province with 1,214 cases and Duhok province with 875 cases.
Lack of support, tolerance turns Kurdistan into hell for autistic children
— Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) September 6, 2023
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