Under the patronage and participation of Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family, Mrs. Buthaina bint Ali Al Jabr Al Nuaimi, the new headquarters for the Families of People with Autism Platform was inaugurated in The Pearl Island, with support from the United Development Company.

This headquarters is the first of its kind in the State of Qatar as an IBCCES-certified "Community Autism Home." It represents a significant milestone in the journey to support and empower people with autism spectrum disorder and their families by providing specialized services and an inclusive and safe community environment.

This inauguration comes within the framework of the Ministry's commitment to strengthening community partnerships with the private sector and supporting national initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for all segments of society.

During the opening ceremony, Her Excellency the Minister emphasized the importance of institutional cooperation in supporting initiatives aimed at promoting social integration and improving services provided to people with autism, praising the role of the Families of People with Autism Platform and its efforts in providing psychological, social, and awareness support to families.

The ceremony witnessed a distinct participation from officials, families of people with autism, and representatives of the event sponsors.

Ms. Hamda Al-Hitmi, founder of the Families of People with Autism Platform, emphasized that, "The opening of this organization reflects the state's commitment to improving the quality of life for people with autism and their families by providing a safe and inclusive environment that 

includes family support spaces, sensory workshops, and specialized programs serving all ages."

She added, "The Families of People with Autism Platform was established five years ago by three Qatari mothers of children with autism. This was due to their personal struggles with the lack of community awareness in Qatar about autism spectrum disorder and the scarcity of safe spaces that allow children with autism to play and interact freely, without parents feeling embarrassed or anxious about societal perceptions or prejudices due to their children's behaviors, such as flapping, humming, or avoiding eye contact."

Ms. Hamda Al-Hitmi explained that the idea for the platform was born from this urgent need. They began organizing awareness workshops to introduce autism. They also visited schools and major conference halls, such as Qatar University, Flair, and many other venues, with the goal of dissemination of knowledge and changing prevailing perceptions about autism. Then they moved on to organizing sensory and motor activities specifically for children with autism, with the participation of their families, to create a stimulating and safe environment that engages children and provides them with opportunities for integration and fun.

Over time, the Families of People with Autism Platform began to earn the parents’ trust, as the number of participants and supporters increased. They launched psychological and educational support workshops for mothers and sisters. They also sought partners and supporters who believed in their vision.

Mr. Saleh Al-Khulaifi, Chairman of the Platform's Board of Directors, stated that, "Today we witness the result of shared community and humanitarian cooperation, and we look forward to this home becoming a model for the inclusion and support of people with autism in the region