First academy for children with developmental disabilities opens in Wasit

WASIT — A newly established academy in Kut, Wasit Governorate, is offering critical services for children diagnosed with autism and developmental disabilities. Launched by a private educational institution from Baghdad, the academy is managed by a team of young Iraqi professionals alongside Egyptian specialists.

“This is the first academy of its kind in Wasit,” said Zaid Abu Al-Hawa, the project’s founder, in an interview with 964media. “We focus on individualized therapy for children with autism, speech disorders, slow learning, cochlear implant rehabilitation, and Down syndrome.” Despite the academy’s innovative approach, Abu Al-Hawa noted that the local community’s response has been slower than expected, which he attributed to a lack of awareness about the importance of early intervention.

According to Abu Al-Hawa, the main challenge is that many families seek help when their children are older, which makes treatment more difficult. “By the time families come to us, the ideal window for early intervention has often passed, reducing the potential for significant progress,” he explained. Early diagnosis and treatment are known to improve outcomes, but late interventions tend to be less effective.

Dr. Fadia Hassan, an Egyptian specialist in special education who has been with the academy since its inception, emphasized the improvements seen in their patients. “Due to the lack of similar institutions in Iraq, we’ve treated a wide range of cases, including older children and adults. With continued care, many of these cases have shown notable improvement.”

While the academy has seen promising results, both Abu Al-Hawa and Dr. Hassan stressed the need for greater awareness among families about the importance of early diagnosis and intervention. “Conditions like autism are best treated when identified early. The sooner we can start working with a child, the better their chances for improvement,” Abu Al-Hawa said.

As the academy continues to grow, the team is hopeful that their success will encourage more families to seek help. By providing personalized care and specialized treatment, they aim to improve the lives of children with developmental disabilities across Iraq.