Bollywood singer cheers children at Dubai Autism Centre

Sukhbir Singh makes friends of fans during his visit to the Dubai Autism Centre. The star says he jumped at the chance to meet staff and children. Antonie Robertson / The National

DUBAI // A Bollywood Bhangra singer delighted children and staff at the Dubai Autism Centre during a visit to help raise awareness about the work done there.

Sukhbir Singh, who performed Dil Laga for the Bollywood blockbuster Dhoom 2, was given a tour of the centre in Al Hudaiba on Thursday.

He has also agreed to perform at a gala dinner in aid of the centre next month and was delighted by the chance to meet the staff and children.

“I didn’t know much about autism before I was asked to take part, so I did some research and was delighted,” he said. “I jumped at the chance to help in any way I could.”

After the gala dinner was organised, the centre then got in touch and asked if he would be willing to visit the centre itself, he said.

“As a new dad, I think it’s very important that parents know as much as they can and look for the potential signs of autism,” he said.

“It’s also vitally important that society in general learns more about autism and becomes understanding of children with the condition.”

Autism spectrum disorder is a condition that affects social interaction, communication, interests and behaviour. Its scope includes Asperger syndrome and childhood autism. Sufferers can have problems understanding and being aware of other people’s emotions and it is often characterised with repetitive thoughts and physical behaviours. There is no cure.

The visit and gala night were organised by Dubai businessman and long-time friend of Singh, Mahender Bhojwani, who has a son attending the centre.

“The staff and centre have helped my son tremendously over the last five years and I wanted to do something that would help them in return,” said Mr Bhojwani.

“The work they do here is fantastic and they have helped numerous children over the years.

“But unfortunately there is still a stigma associated with autism that needs to be dispelled and events like this can help to do that.”

His son Rahul, 17, who is borderline on the autism spectrum, will leave the centre next month and has enjoyed his time there.

“They have really helped me a lot over the last few years,” said Rahul. “We get taught how to be independent and be more comfortable meeting people.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Sukhbir Singh because I’ve listened to some of his songs and it will be nice to talk to him.”

Singh posed for photos with children and carers and observed sessions at the centre during his visit.

Rita Stephen, the operations manager at the centre, said raising awareness of autism was just as important as helping those with the condition.

“Although we have come a long way in terms of educating people about autism, there is still much to be done,” she said.

“These kind of visits mean so much to the staff and children and we really appreciate Sukhbir Singh taking the time to come to the centre.”

The autism centre currently has 65 members of staff looking after 52 students aged between three to 17 but there is a waiting list of about 280 children.

Work on a larger, custom-built facility is progressing well and was given a boost after Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, donated his Dh22 million Dubai World Cup prize money in March to the centre.

The new facility will be located near the Emirates Aviation College in Garhoud and will help more than 200 children once it opens next year.

Dubai Autism Centre was established in 2001 by the late ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It is run as a not-for-profit organisation and relies on corporate and public donations to maintain services.

For more details visit www.dubaiautismcenter.ae.