IN SHORT

Dr Samira Al Saad received some valuable advice when her daughter was diagnosed with autism: Educate yourself and send her to a good school. Samira has made it her life’s work to do this not only for her daughter but for autistic children all around Kuwait—going on to study for a PhD and opening the first autism centres in Kuwait. “I think I successfully broke the wall of fear,” she reflects, adding that any worthwhile work demands grit. “People are used to thinking that the government should do what they want done… But if that doesn’t happen, you have to do it yourself. If you need something, do it!” she urges.