Arwa El Amine Halawi
Personal information
Arwa El Amine Halawi
President and Director of multiple organizations
Community/Lebanon Impact
In 1999, when the Lebanese Autism Society (LAS) was established, Autism Spectrum Disorder was still largely unknown in Lebanon, even among professionals in psychology and education. Early diagnosis was practically nonexistent, as were early intervention programs and support for individuals with autism and their families.
At that time, Lebanese society largely rejected individuals with autism, leading to their social seclusion. Many people either ignored the issue or reacted harshly and insensitively toward individuals with autism and their families. This lack of societal acceptance forced many parents to keep their children at home and avoid public places.
After 20 years of hard work by LAS, Arwa El Amine Halawi believes the organization’s greatest achievement has been raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder and paving the way for greater societal acceptance. This progress has significantly contributed to the early diagnosis and intervention of affected individuals.
Work history
Previous Professions:
- Director, Center for Autism Intervention and Research (LAS CAIR)
- President, Arab Network for Autism (ANA).
- Director, Technical School for Adolescents with Autism (TSA).
- Director, Early Intervention & Diagnostic Center (C.D.I.P).
- President, Lebanese Autism Society (LAS).
- Director, Classes for Children with Autism (CCA).
- Project Director, June 2007-June 2009, Promoting the Acceptance of Vulnerable Groups of Children and Youth in Lebanon (LAS project funded by AFKAR II program - European Commission and managed by OMSAR).
- Project Director, March 2005-May 2006, Economic Rights of Youth with Special Needs (Project funded by Oxfam Quebec).
- Project Director, March 2005-February 2006, The Rights of Children with Special Needs and Children with Autism (LAS project funded by AFKAR II program - European Commission and managed by OMSAR).
Major Achievements
Major achievements:
- Organizing an Autism Event at the Presidential Palace, in the presence of His Excellency the President General Michel Aoun and the first Lady .This event featured an exhibition of individuals with Autism from different NGOs in Lebanon working with Autism. The Presidential Palace was also lit in blue during the event, April 2017.
- Organizing a conference entitled "Using Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) in Autism Intervention", April 2014.
- Organizing the Second Arab Regional Conference for Autism titled "Early Detection, Early Diagnosis”, in collaboration with UNESCO Regional Office for Education in Beirut, October 2008.
- Organizing the first Arab Regional Conference on Autism titled ”Arab Regional Conference on Autism: Education and Care”, in collaboration with UNESCO Office of Education in Beirut, May 2004.
Exhibitions, lectures & performances:
Lectures:
- “The impact of Autism on the family”, Conference in the United Nations Headquarters, New York - USA, April 2010.
- “World Autism Awarness Day”, Round Table on Autism, Doha - Qatar, April 2009.
- Conference titled “L’autisme dans le Mediteranée” [Autism in the Mediterranean region], Marseilles, France, December 2008.
Accomplishments
Awards:
- Received an award from the CMA CGM Foundation for her continuous support of autistic children through the Lebanese Autism Society (LAS), 2014
- Appreciation Award for founding the Arab Network for Autism during the Autism Around the World Symposium, 2010.
- Award of Merit Prince Faisal Bin Fahad’s Center for Autism, Riyadh for organizing the second Arab Regional Conference, 2008.
- Award of Merit from the Iraq Center for Autism for organizing the second Arab Regional Conference, 2008.
- Award of Merit from the Yemen Center for Autism for organizing the second Arab Regional Conference, 2008.
- Award of Merit from the Kuwait Center for Autism for participating in the World Autism Awareness Day, 2006.
Competences & Skills
Field(s) of Expertise:
- Autism
- Advocacy (Rights of Individuals with Autism)
- Management
Languages:
- English
- French
- Arabic