Muscat – Ministry of Social Development’s Autism Spectrum Disorder Arts Exhibition at House of Musical Arts opened on Tuesday, putting on display a collection of 25 paintings by individuals on the autism spectrum. 

Held under the patronage of H H Sayyida Meyyan bint Shihab al Said, the four-day exhibition aims to celebrate the artistic talent of these individuals while promoting the supportive role of the National Autism Centre.

The exhibition includes a wide range of artworks featuring traditional Omani attire, cultural practices and creative expressions of artists of all ages. Several exhibits illustrate themes of hope and positive change following rehabilitation efforts.

Dr Nadia Ali al Ajmi, Director of Vocational Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre in MoSD, elaborated on the National Autism Centre’s dedication 

to holistic rehabilitation services that encompass nurturing artistic abilities of individuals with autism. She pointed out the specialised training provided to professionals to enhance their interactions and support for the autism community effectively.

Visitors to the exhibition were given detailed descriptions of the paintings, enriching their understanding of the art and the artists’ perspectives. 

The event also saw H H Sayyida Meyyan launch  Noah, a story developed by National Autism Centre to educate the public on autism spectrum disorder. Supported by Omantel, the project is the first in a planned series depicting real-life experiences of individuals with autism.

Highlighting the collaborative efforts towards autism awareness, the event included the signing of an agreement to support the continuation of the story series for autistic children. The agreement was signed by H E Sheikh Rashid bin Ahmed al Shamsi, Undersecretary in MoSD, and Talal bin Saeed al Maamari, CEO of Omantel, underscoring a joint commitment to fostering autism understanding and education.