Somali News  
    Heesta Somaliweyn: Hees  
 
 


Somalia: Parents United Against Autism Appeal: The Somali MN Autism Epidemic

Saturday, 04 Apr 2009 SMC 

Abdilmalik and dad
Managing Editor's Note: We are pleased to welcome Abdulkadir Khalif as our newest Contributing Editor.

By: Abdulkadir Khalif

On the last day of March 2009, the Minnesota Department of Health finally produced a report on the prevalence of autism in the Somali immigrant population of Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was obvious from the numbers that the issue of prevalence has finally been settled, and that there definitely is a cluster of autism in Minneapolis. The MDH arrived at these conclusions not from their own investigations but from that of the MN department of Education. These are the very numbers that the MDH initially doubted and which the CDC poured cold water on towards the end of last year. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank the MN Department of Education for leading the way in the fight against autism in Minneapolis and for showing, on their own, that they (the teachers) know better than the healthcare professionals that autism has a cluster in Minneapolis, especially amongst the people of Somali ethnic group. I hope that the MDH together with the CDC will now come down from the ivory tower and start planning on how to confront this epidemic.
Abdilmalik smiling (This is Abdimalik Khalif.)

What do the numbers say? The numbers say that for the 3-4 year age groups alone, the Somali kids are 7 times as likely to seek special education services for autism as compared with the other populations. However the MDH still insists that those numbers alone will not determine the issue of prevalence. In the absence of anything else to show the contrary how can they say that the issue of prevalence has not yet been settled? To make matters worse, the MDH is not coming up with plans to confront the epidemic except to say that they will carry out more investigations. If they doubt the numbers given by the schools, why didn’t they come up with one of their own after six months of promises? I suppose they know that their numbers will show even bigger numbers and they were scared of that. Let me say here and now that the largest number of Somali kids with autism are those older than 4 years of age. Many of those kids are in grade special education classes and are out of range of early diagnoses. Many of them do not speak yet and are not even getting adequate services beyond what little the schools offer them. The medical establishment is absent from their therapies and medication. The families are desperate and poor. Many of them are single parents who have been abandoned by their spouses because of the stresses that come with sometimes raising several autistic kids under one roof.

Because of the publicity that this issue is getting, Somali immigrant communities in Sweden, Canada and other parts of the United States are becoming more aware of the prevalence of autism within their own communities. Suffice to say that those countries have a lot in common with the USA and especially Minnesota (climate, healthcare etc.). Is not then fair to say that there are several clusters of autism affecting people of one genetic make-up in the northern hemisphere? Can’t that fact alone excite scientists and governments into thinking that the world may finally be zooming in to the cause and cures of autism? There is no autism in Somalia but autism is ravaging Somali immigrants in the northern hemisphere. What are the differences in lifestyles, foods, medicines etc between Somalia and the northern hemispheric countries where Somalis have settled? I would hope that the answer to this question is the opportunity that we have all been waiting for to answer the autism puzzle. Many months ago, and in my last piece on this site I stated that we might be approaching the solution to this problem, if only we shall accept that there are clusters and that we are prepared to think outside the box. Having said that, I wish to move on to something else.

The Somali immigrant families are now aware that autism is not an isolated case for individual families. It is not a curse that has befallen their particular families. It is not a strange disease that brings stigma to them and that they can share information with their neighbors and relatives about seeking ways and means of helping their children. But they know something else. The MDH has no answers for them, nor do their doctors and politicians. Their insurance will not cover other therapies that they may need. Their children will not recover on their own and their condition could be a lifelong handicap. Yesterday’s report did not give them anything to look forward to-only to expect bigger numbers in the future. The government has no plans at all on how to deal with this epidemic. The few resources in the state are overwhelmed and the waiting list is several years long. There are no adequately trained personnel, nor is there adequate funding. Actually there are talks of cut-backs on certain social programs. They are on their own and they are least prepared for this. We are looking for ideas and help from the general public and friendly organizations and sympathetic individuals everywhere. Our Parents Organization (Parents United Against Autism) is launching an appeal for help for these families. The kinds of help we need are:

• Doctors with experience in autism therapies who could volunteer their time

• Laboratories who could help with testing and analysis as their contribution to the cause

• Individuals and corporations who could help with medicines and other appropriate tools and equipment as a show of solidarity with the stricken families

• Any other appropriate help for the families.

We at PAA would be more than happy to help with establishing contacts with the families and facilitating any and all needs by all sides.

Please help us in this worthy cause. Thanking you in advance.

Abdulkadir Khalif
Khalif8888@hotmail.com   

Source: ageofautism.com

Somaliweyn Media Center “SMC”

Muslima.com is a Muslim marriage and matrimonials site that assists people to find a Muslim partner for friendship or marriage. You can use our site to meet Muslim singles , Muslim ladies seeking marriage, Muslim chat, Muslim friends or Muslim penpals . Our site is one of the largest Muslim matrimonials and personals sites with single Muslim women and men from all over the world.:Muslima.com is a Muslim marriage and matrimonials site that assists people to find a Muslim partner for friendship or marriage. You can use our site to meet Muslim singles , Muslim ladies seeking marriage, Muslim chat, Muslim friends or Muslim penpals . Our site is one of the largest Muslim matrimonials and personals sites with single Muslim women and men from all over the world.:Muslima.com is a Muslim marriage and matrimonials site that assists people to find a Muslim partner for friendship or marriage. You can use our site to meet Muslim singles , Muslim ladies seeking marriage, Muslim chat, Muslim friends or Muslim penpals . Our site is one of the largest Muslim matrimonials and personals sites with single Muslim women and men from all over the world.:Muslima.com is a Muslim marriage and matrimonials site that assists people to find a Muslim partner for friendship or marriage. You can use our site to meet Muslim singles , Muslim ladies seeking marriage, Muslim chat, Muslim friends or Muslim penpals . Our site is one of the largest Muslim matrimonials and personals sites with single Muslim women and men from all over the world.:
Arabic News
Today's News 3-Apr-2009

بدأ نقل لاجئين صوماليين من منطقة على الحدود الإثيوبية-الصومالية إلى داخل إثيوبيا
(Read more) 3-Apr- 2009

خلفية: البحرية الصينية ترسل نجما دبلوماسيا وفرقاطة "شبح" لمواصلة  مهمة مرافقة السفن فى المياه الصومالية
(Read more) 3-Apr- 2009

Today's News 2-Apr-2009

مجلس الوزراء الصومالي يعلن عن تشكيل لجنة تقوم بتعداد القوات الحكومية لإعادة تأهيلهم
(Read more) 2-Apr- 2009

مقتل أثنين وإصابة أربعة صيادين صوماليين في شمال شرق الصومال  بعد هجوم شنته دورية بحرية ألمانية في حين تقرر الحكومة الصومالية  إيقاف تراخيص صيد السمك للسفن الأجنبية
(Read more) 2-Apr- 2009

Today's News 30-Mar-2009

الشرق تنشر ملامح البيان الختامي والقمة تتجه للتشدد.. رفض قرار الجنائية ضد البشير وتوصية بإعادة النظر بالموقف العربي منها
(Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

زار مركزيّ الأطراف الصناعية وطب العيون.. وفد عيد الخيرية يتفقد مشروعاتها في الصومال
(Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

هيومن رايتس تدين طرد كينيا للاجئين صوماليين
(Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Today's News 29-Mar-2009

الرئيس اليمنى يوءكد اهمية تعزيز الامن والاستقرار فى الصومال
(Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

الشباب المجاهدين" يدعون المنظمات الانسانية للعمل بحرية في الصومال
(Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Today's News 28-Mar-2009

لافراج عن المخطوفين الكينيين الخمسة في الصومال
(Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

الرئيس الصومالي يدين تدخل القاعدة في شؤون البلاد
(Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Today's News 26-Mar-2009

وزير الداخلية للحكومة الإنتقالية ينجوا من محاولة إغتياله بعد هجوم تعرضت قافلته ظهر اليوم في العاصمة
(Read more) 26-Mar- 2009

Today's News 24-Mar-2009

شيخ شريف ينفي طلب قوات إفريقية إضافية من السودان
(Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

السفن الحربية الروسية تتوجه الى خليج عدن فى اواخر مارس
(Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Today's News 22-Mar-2009

المحاكم الإسلامية تكتشف مقابر جماعية في مدينة مقديشوا
(Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

الإرياني:هناك قوى لها مآرب سياسية من القرصنة والحشد العسكري قد يولد قرصنة تهدد العالم
(Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

الأبرش يبحث ووفد صومالي سبل تطوير العلاقات البرلمانية
(Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

القراصنة الصوماليون يطلقون سراح سفينة هندية
(Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Today's News 19-Mar-2009

ابن لادن يحث الصوماليين علي الإطاحة بالرئيس الجديد
(Read more) 19-Mar- 2009

 افتتاح مركز تسجيل اللاجئين الصومال
(Read more) 19-Mar- 2009

Today's News 17-Mar-2009

وفاة 72 شخصا معظمهم من الاطفال بسبب اسهال حاد في الصومال
(Read more) 17-Mar- 2009

الأمم المتحدة ترحب بالإفراج عن موظفيها الذين اختطفوا في الصومال وتؤكد مواصلة عملياتها هناك
(Read more) 17-Mar- 2009

أعلن السفير الأثيوبي في موسكو أن سلطات أثيوبيا تواصل تقديم المساعدة لحكومة الصومال الانتقالية
(Read more) 17-Mar- 2009

مجموعة الإتصال الدولية تعقد إجتماعا في القاهرة لمكافحة القرصنة
(Read more) 17-Mar- 2009

Today's News 16-Mar-2009

مدينة مقديشو تشهد مظاهرات تندد بحكم المحكمة الدولية ضد الرئيس السوداني 
(Read more) 16-Mar- 2009

Today's News 14-Mar-2009

إصابة عمدة بلدية ودجر بعبوة ناسفة بالقرب من مطار مقديشوا الدولي 
(Read more) 14-Mar- 2009

جماعة أهل السنة تسيطر علي عدة بلدات في إقليم قلقذود بوسط الصومال
(Read more) 14-Mar- 2009

Today's News 12-Mar-2009

البرلمان الصومالي يفتتح أولي جلساته في مقره الجديد بمقديشوا 
(Read more) 12-Mar- 2009

البرلمان الصومالي يفتتح أولي جلساته في مقره الجديد
(Read more) 12-Mar- 2009

مخاوف من تجنيد أمريكيين صوماليين لتنفيذ هجمات إرهابية
(Read more) 12-Mar- 2009

الاتحاد الإفريقي يمدد بقاء قواته في الصومال
(Read more) 12-Mar- 2009

Today's News 11-Mar-2009

مقتل أربعة أفراد من  الشرطة الصومالية  بإنفجارعبوةناسفة  في مقديشوا صباح اليوم
(Read more) 11-Mar- 2009

مركز الجزيرة ينظم ندوة عن الصومال وملامح المرحلة القادمة
(Read more) 11-Mar- 2009

الناتو يوافق على تشكيل مهمة جديدة لمحاربة القرصنة
(Read more) 11-Mar- 2009

قوات حفظ السلام الافريقية تبقى في الصومال ثلاثة شهور إضافية
(Read more) 11-Mar- 2009

Today's News 10-Mar-2009

رئيس البرلمان شيخ أذن مذوبي ش يتسلم مقر البرلمان الصومالي المؤقت
(Read more) 10-Mar- 2009

الرئيس الصومالي يتوجه إلي أوغندا ضمن  زيارته  الإفريقية
(Read more) 10-Mar- 2009

Today's News 9-Mar-2009

سقوط طائرة عسكرية متجهة إلي الصومال في مدينة كمبالا مخلفتا عشرة قتلي
(Read more) 9-Mar- 2009

رئيس الجمهورية الصومالي   يلتقي مع نظيره الكيني في مدينة نيروبي في جولته  لعدة دول إفريقية
(Read more) 9-Mar- 2009

ليبيا: بيرلسكونى يدعو القذافى لحضور القمة المقبلة للدول الثماني الصناعية الكبرى.
(Read more) 9-Mar- 2009

الأمن الشخصي تغلب على الأمن القومي فأهملنا الصومال وتناسينا مخاطر القراصنة على قناة السويس.
(Read more) 9-Mar- 2009

ماهو سر ودوافع  إهتمام جريدة الشرق الأوسط بالقضية الصومالية في ظل إهمال وسائل الإعلام هذا الشأن :
(Read more) 9-Mar- 2009

 English News
Today's News 3-Apr-2009

U.S. Embassy Celebrates Somali Women (Read more) 3-Apr- 2009

Today's News 2-Apr-2009
Somalia: Female parliamentarians go for Training in Kampala (Read more) 2-Apr- 2009

Somalia: “We have the culprits in hand” police spokesman (Read more) 2-Apr- 2009

Today's News 1-Apr-2009
Somalia: Lawmaker seriously wounded driver killed in Mogadishu (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Starvation alarm coming from central Somalia (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Somaliland youth risk death in search of better life (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Islamic scholars says AU presences is hindrance to peace in Somalia (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Puntland Security Minister comments security in the region (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Restrictions imposed on Khat and Cigarettes dealers in Bardere (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Somalia: Japan completes 1st ant piracy mission off Somalia (Read more) 1-Apr- 2009

Today's News 31-Mar-2009

Somalia: “The Killing of Abdurrahman shifti was manslaughter” Shaweye (Read more) 31-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Officials of Bay and Bakool regions warn Aid Organizations (Read more) 31-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Government responses collision between its forces (Read more) 31-Mar- 2009

Somalia: 14 arrested in different cases in Baladweyn town (Read more) 31-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Maritime group seeks increased patrols in Somalia (Read more) 31-Mar- 2009

Today's News 30-Mar-2009

Somali President Shariff met with Ban Ki Moon  (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Journalists Feyte in custody in his forth day (Sick) (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Emergency surgery saves Somali twin (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Somali pirates kill Yemeni fisherman (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Somalia: AU backs Somali leader's stand on peacekeepers  (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

On Somalia, Belated Disclosure by UNDP, Protest by UN-Funded Academic (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009

Group calls for end to Kenyan abuses (Read more) 30-Mar- 2009
Today's News 29-Mar-2009
Somalia: President Shariff takes off to Doha Qatar (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Sudan and Libya pledged to arbitrate the rival sides (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Government asks Somalis to fast for 4 days (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Somalia: New centers for diarrhea patients opened (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Somalia: African Union to send more troops to Somalia (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Somalia: All NGOs can freely work in Somalia Al-Shabab (Read more) 29-Mar- 2009

Today's News 28-Mar-2009
Somalia: All NGOs can freely work in Somalia Al-Shabab (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: President Shariff condemns Bin Ladin Al-Qaida Leader (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somali militants release 5 Kenyans (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Al-Shabab arrests bandits in Bay region (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: German-owned ship seized by Somali pirates is free (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Shortage of water alarm coming from Kismayo town (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Ethiopian troops arrests Garbo district administration (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia:  P.I.S premises and Ethiopian owned restaurant attacked (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

FBI targets Somalis in Minneapolis (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Top UN envoy shocked by ‘cowardly’ attack against Somali minister (Read more) 28-Mar- 2009

Today's News 27-Mar-2009
Somalia: Al-Shabab bases in Gedo region attacked overnight (Read more) 27-Mar- 2009

Somalia: ICU and Al-Shabab warriors Fight in Balad district (Read more) 27-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Ahlu-Sunnah Waljam forces bolster government soldiers (Read more) 27-Mar- 2009

Somali: pirates demand ransom for captured tankers (Read more) 27-Mar- 2009

Today's News 26-Mar-2009
UN Expert Says Peace Possible in Somalia (Read more) 26-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Bula-Hawo district officials rebuffs abduction allegation (Read more) 26-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Somali pirates’ exchange fire in Bosaso (Read more) 26-Mar- 2009

Thousands fleeing Somalia fail to register at camps (Read more) 26-Mar- 2009

Today's News 25-Mar-2009
National survey shows Muslim women aim high in Britain (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Dispute over university prayer space ignites protest (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

5 government soldiers gunned downed in Mogadishu (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Furious protesters storm on the streets of Baidoa (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Somalia: 7 died of watery diarrhea in the lower shebelle region (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Hawiya Tradition Elders go against deployment of Extra troops (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Two seriously wounded in overnight skirmish in Galkayo (Read more) 25-Mar- 2009

Today's News 24-Mar-2009
Somalia: Uganda deploys more peacekeepers in volatile Somalia (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Al-Shabab bans Khat and cars with opaque glasses in Baidoa  (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: 10 died in a lorry accident 14 others wounded in central Somalia (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Bula-Hawo district authority sends warning signal to Kenya (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Foreign Minister Omaar notes deployment of foreign troops (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Hizbul-Islam remarks upon the defect members (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Somali owned 5 star hotel turned to ashes (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia not seeking Sudanese peacekeepers - president (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Somalia: AU Hails Somalia Milestone; Donor Conference Planned (Read more) 24-Mar- 2009

Today's News 23-Mar-2009
Somalia: Prominent Somali cleric detained in Puntland Tension High (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Hijab debate lifts veil on limits of Norway's tolerance (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: 18 students died in a road accident in Kenya 9 (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Hisbul-Islam endorse the efforts of the clerics (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Islamic Courts Union takes control of Shibis district (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: A Somali girl kidnapped by Somalis in Mogadishu (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Sudanese president calls for support for new Somali gov't (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Japan says pirates fire on ship off Somalia (Read more) 23-Mar- 2009

Today's News 22-Mar-2009
The skeletons of 5 people found in Mogadishu (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

No deployment of Extra Troops Information Minister (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Statement by the UN Special Representative for Somalia Mr Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah  (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Somalia: “No single government soldier surrendered” governor (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Somalia: “Demanding for extra troops would jeopardize stability” Elder Diriye (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Somalia: Insecurity at Bulahubey a section of Wadjir district (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Somali: pirates free hijacked ship with 16 Indians (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Somalia: open meeting on Somalia (Read more) 22-Mar- 2009

Today's News 21-Mar-2009
Somali FM Says Peace and Security New Government's Top Priority (Read more) 21-Mar- 2009

Ecoterra – Somali Marine & Coastal Monitor - Part VI. The Latest Piracy News from Somalia, Kenya (Read more) 21-Mar- 2009

 

Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)
Muqdisho Somalia

Google
 
Web You Domainame
Somaliweyn Media Center (SMC)