National plan to support autistic youth after 18

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s autistic youth risk losing their independence as they age out of school, with 90 per cent facing regression due to the lack of adult support programmes.

The National Programme for Autism Rehabilitation (Tayf ) is offering a lifeline, proposing tailored training, jobs, and social spaces to transform their futures.

Now in the final round of the government’s Fikra competition, Tayf offers a way to give these young people opportunities for work, training, and a social haven.

Backed by the Alia Autism Centre and the Bahrain Autism Society, the programme addresses the glaring lack of services for autistic individuals after school age.

Muhannad Al Nuaimi and Dr Sofia Ahmed Hashem, who spearhead the project, describe the grim reality.

Regression

“When autistic individuals turn 18, there are no educational or rehabilitation programmes to integrate them into life. Time seems to stand still for them, and 90 per cent are at risk of regression,” they explained.

Tayf’s approach is to create a structured system tailored to the needs of autistic adults.

It includes two main tracks. The first focuses on training and employment through partnerships with private businesses, offering hands-on skills suited to the participants’ abilities.

Permanent space

The second provides a permanent space designed as a social hub, offering a sense of belonging and a safe environment for continued growth.

“The programme ensures autistic youth can experience and practise real-world jobs while developing abilities that suit their capabilities,” Al Nuaimi said. “It’s not just training — it’s about equipping them with tools for a more independent life.”

For families, the programme could ease years of uncertainty.

Transition

“We hope our project will give autistic youth a chance at a new chapter, helping them transition into adulthood without the fear of losing progress,” Dr Hashem added.

Tayf ’s progress in the Fikra competition represents a vital step in realising this vision.

By addressing a long-ignored gap, it aims to provide autistic adults and their families with the support they deserve — offering practical solutions for a better future.