Autism is only one disability that plagues Iraqi children. The prevalence of autism in the Middle East is higher by far than in other regions of the world. What makes the need for our action in Iraq so crucial is the lack of focus on mental health and disabilities. Years of war have taken their toll most significantly on the children. Our focus is on orphans, children being raised by single mothers, and children living in extreme poverty. Many children need additional educational services.

Iraqi orphans and children from poor families attend public schools in Iraq, where class sizes average of 75 students. Many of these children have physical or cognitive disabilities, but no one knows that. Imagine being deaf from birth, but not one person in your life realizes that you cannot hear. Imagine being autistic and being beaten daily because no one realizes that you are autistic. These are challenges Iraqi orphans and poor children face in their lives.