RIYADH: The Kingdom has launched its first art exhibition for autistic children, the Saudi Press Agency reported, as part of a campaign this month to raise awareness about the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Saudi Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Majid Al-Ghanmi, who is also chairman of the board of directors at the Autism Center of Excellence (ACE), launched the event. The exhibition is the result of cooperation between ACE and the College of Arts and Design at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University. It aims to provide autistic children with new artistic skills. April is dedicated to increasing awareness about ASD, so ACE is launching several events including the April Autism Awareness Conference in cooperation with the Center for Autism Research. Children will also be taken to the movies, the zoo and entertainment centers. On World Autism Awareness Day, Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmed Al-Rajhi said that the Kingdom supported global projects and programs that sought to raise awareness about ASD and empowered autistic children and adults. “We are positive that the future will be bright for a society in which support and empowerment prevail,” he added.