The Swiss Cooperation together with the Albanian Children Foundation has launched a new book on autism, published in Albania for the first time. The book will serve as a guide for parents, therapists and professionals working with autistic children.
TIRANA, Feb. 16 – In the wake of increased attention towards autism, the Swiss Cooperation has launched together with the Albanian Children Foundation, a book titled Children with Autism as edited by Michael Powers. The book is a guide for parents and care-takers on how to better help children with autism and was launched last week at a newly established Regional Autism Centre near Fark묠Tirana.
“We heard the plea of those living with this condition and decided to help”, said the Swiss Cooperation’s Country Director, Isabel Perich. “I am confident that this publication will bring knowledge and skills to those people who have to deal with autism one way or another”, added Perich. She also stressed that the book will serve as a guide for parents and professionals alike. The book is currently a standard recommended for parents around the world and fills a gap in knowledge and information about autism.
On behalf of the Albanian Children Foundation (ACF), Prime Minister’s wife, Liri Berisha expressed her gratitude for the Swiss contribution and mentioned some steps taken towards improving the lives of autistic children and their families. Only a few weeks ago, the ACF inaugurated the Regional Autism Centre, a new facility that will diagnose and treat autistic children and will counsel their parents.
Present at the launch event were also the Director of Public Health Department at the Ministry of Health, Gazmend Bejtja. The Ministry of Health has supported the initiative for creating a National Strategy on dealing with autism as well as initiatives like this one.
A thematic discussion took place after the introductory speeches, where professionals and parents shared their views on and experiences with autism. Prof. Edmond Tupja, a linguist and publicist whose son is diagnosed with autism, held a brief speech on autism and called the book ‘another brick in the wall’ referring to it as yet another important contribution to the necessary catalogue on this condition. Dr. Ariel ȯmo, a child psychiatrist, stated that the book Children with Autism is a good ‘reference book for professional work and training”, referring to it from the perspective of professional therapists.
The Swiss Cooperation provided around 2 million Lek for the translation, publication and distribution of this book. It is expected that hundreds of autistic children and their families will benefit from the information and guidance contained in this publication which is the first of its kind in Albania. A large part of the problem with autism is lack of understanding and awareness about this condition; parents, professionals and the general public need to be influenced in order to deal effectively with autism.
The book will be available at the Regional Autism Centre and will be available free of charge. Swiss support comes as part of a larger assistance provided towards health and social inclusion. Similar projects funded by the Swiss Cooperation have aimed at improving the continuing education for health professionals and establishing an accreditation system for their post-university learning.
