The Institute of Pastoral Care of St Mark’s Cathedral in Abbassiya, Cairo, has granted a Master’s degree to Mona Wadie Yacoub for her study on the role of family guidance for children born with autism.
Anba Moussa, Bishop of Youth, attended the discussion of the Master’s Thesis, and praised the choice of topic especially given that the number of autistic children is on the rise.
The study was supervised by Dr Nassif Fahmy, Professor of Sociology; Dr Murad Hakim and Dr Samia Bareh.
Wadie’s study investigated the role of Church guidance offered to families with children suffering autism. The researcher studied the problems through two main chapters: The first included the introduction, concepts; implications of having an autistic child in the family; and the spiritual guidance needed. The second chapter reviewed the methodological procedures; the results of a field study; a future vision for the spiritual service needed; and the most important recommendations.