In a powerful show of community partnership and inclusivity, the NECC Clinic in Abu Dhabi hosted its first-ever autism awareness event at the prestigious Louvre Abu Dhabi. The event brought together more than 400 students, educators, healthcare professionals, and community members for a day dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting understanding of autism.
“The response to this event was overwhelmingly positive,” shared Tiffany Howley, community outreach and consulting specialist for NECC’s Global Consulting team. She added that attendees included students from NECC’s sister school MRC-NECC, four school inclusion departments, a whole school field trip, and community partners like healthcare providers and individuals from Early Childhood Authority. “This is the first time the Clinic has hosted an event like this, and we are so grateful to the Louvre Abu Dhabi for providing its amazing space and collaboration.”
The NECC Clinic played a central role in organizing the event, including providing engaging, student-led activities that encouraged inclusive interaction and learning. Activities included a photo booth, arts and crafts stations, and a trivia booth where participants answered questions related to autism to win handmade prizes like cookies and keychains. These stations were led by NECC’s older students, providing visitors with meaningful, inclusive experiences.
A particularly moving part of the event included a short speech by a member of NECC’s Adapted Basketball team, who shared his personal experience of living with autism. His words offered a heartfelt and authentic perspective that resonated deeply with attendees.
The event also featured high school students involved in the American Community School’s Youth Tolerance Association, who hosted a lively bubble-blowing activity to encourage interaction and fun. Grandiose Supermarkets, a longstanding NECC community partner, also contributed by donating ice cream and popcorn for all attendees to enjoy.
Staff at the Louvre Abu Dhabi were also equipped in advance for the event. “We conducted a training for the staff a couple of days before the event to better equip them to support all of their visitors, including those individuals of determination” Howley shared.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Howley emphasized its broader mission. “Being involved in an event like this signifies the NECC Clinic Abu Dhabi’s dedication to promoting autism acceptance and inclusion within the community,” she said. “By collaborating with such a prominent cultural institution, our hope was that we would be able to raise public awareness about autism, advocate for the rights of individuals with autism, and foster a more inclusive society.”
And the Louvre Abu Dhabi was a perfect partner. Per the museum’s policy, all individuals of determination and one carer are allowed free access to the space. “This partnership highlights the importance of integrating individuals of determination into cultural and social spheres, thereby enriching the community as a whole,” added Howley. “We are looking forward to a continued collaboration and supporting the museum’s mission of being an accessible community space.”