His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Eastern Province and Chairman of the Eastern Province Development Authority, patronized today at the Emirate headquarters the signing of an agreement to establish the first sensory recreational room for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), named “Ufuq” (Horizon), at the Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Center for Science and Technology (Scitech). The agreement was signed between the Eastern Province Development Authority and the Alfozan Community Service Program. 
 
The agreement aims to establish a specialized sensory environment for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, enhancing the quality of services provided to them, improving their quality of life, and supporting their social inclusion. 
 
His Royal Highness emphasized that creating supportive environments and empowering individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder contributes significantly to improving their quality of life and facilitating their integration into society. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among government entities, the nonprofit sector, and the private sector in launching initiatives that address the needs of this valued group and provide broader access to educational, recreational, and rehabilitation programs, ultimately strengthening their capabilities and advancing the Kingdom’s quality-of-life and development objectives. 
 
For his part, the Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Province Development Authority, Dr. Talal bin Nabil Al-Mughlouth, stated that the agreement reflects the Authority’s commitment to delivering impactful initiatives that address the needs of diverse segments of society and enhance quality of life. He noted that the sensory recreational room represents a significant addition to the services offered at Scitech, providing an integrated environment that supports the development of beneficiaries’ sensory and cognitive skills while promoting social inclusion through specialized educational and scientific approaches aligned with the center’s strategic vision. 
 
Meanwhile, Abdullah bin Abdulatif Alfozan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Alfozan Community Service Program, explained that the “Ufuq” project builds upon the successful experience of the Abdulatif Alfozan Autism Center, “Afaq,” which has supported the integration of more than 100 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder into society and has twice received accreditation from the UK’s National Autistic Society (NAS) in recognition of its commitment to professional standards in service delivery. He also noted that the design of the sensory room draws inspiration from the cultural fabric and heritage-inspired colors of the city of Al Khobar. 
 
 
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