Eleven autistic students are set to be fully integrated into regular classrooms at the Bait Al Hekma Primary Girls School, as part of an Education Ministry initiative.
So far, five children have been integrated, with six more currently in progress, and their arduous but successful journeys are being highlighted as part of Autism Awareness Month during April.
“We have a specific process that we go through whenever we receive a child with autism,” said Zainab Abdulla, 35, a special needs teacher at the school.
“It starts when the student is assigned from the ministry, followed by parents submitting a medical report.
“We meet each child individually to assess their educational requirements, interview their parents and draft a personal dynamic plan which shifts based on the student’s progress.”
Based on the plan, the teacher and the school principal – with the approval of the ministry – will decide whether the student will be privately taught in a specialised room or be partially integrated.
“We always start partially before we fully integrate them so that the student gets used to the regular classroom atmosphere, and in the meanwhile, we train teachers on how to handle them,” she said.
During a tour of their special needs classroom, Ms Abdulla showed the GDN areas made specifically for sensory enhancement where the children get introduced to different sensory feelings without getting overloaded.
Beyond the classroom, the teachers allow the students to naturally integrate with their fellow schoolmates on breaks or any event related to sport, art and music.
“I want people to know that these students have a place in society,” said Ms Abdulla.
“They are gifted and amazing, we have an artist, a student who loves giving speeches, a pianist and a small girl who knows the ins and outs of electronics.”
The mother of one of the students, Kawther Hameed, told the GDN that her child was always keen to be part of the main classroom.
“When my child was six, she would always cry out ‘with the girls’, pointing to classrooms,” said Zahraa Mahdi.
“They noticed that she was a social child and took her into regular classrooms during the second semester of the same year. She has changed ever since, as her language skills have increased and she has become more confident.”
Another parent, Mariam Al Aradi, recounted how Bahrain’s schools have brought out the best in her children, both of whom are autistic.
Her son Ali Al Nasheet is a grade five student of the Bader Al Kubra Primary Boys School, and daughter Fatima Al Nasheet is doing grade four at Bait Al Hekma school.
“Both my children have had an amazing experience integrating into their classrooms with the help of their teachers,” said Ms Al Aradi.
“The teachers go above and beyond to bring out the best out of my children as they fully support their talent.”
She explained how the Badr Al Kubra school helped her little boy realise his passion as they aided him in winning ‘Child Art’ regional competitions earning him both a gold and a silver medal.
“I wish society accepts my children’s differences,” she said.
“They are not hollow beings, they understand when they are being bullied or when they are looked down upon.
“The least anyone can do is to not cause these children more sadness, to please not cause them more grief.”
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