Maha Helali is the Founder and Chairperson of the Egyptian Advance Society for Persons with Autism and Other Disabilities (ADVANCE), whom she established with the help of a group of parents in 1998. She is also a Member of the National Council for Disability Affairs.
In December 2004, Helali was chosen to be: the Coordinator of the Education Center for special Needs for “El Taalem lel Game3” program of the UNESCO Organization and an Advisory Committee for CCNGO-EFA-AR.
In 2006, the American University has honored Helali for her efforts for defending against special needs rights. And in 2007, she had got a fellowship from Ashoka organization.
Moreover, Helaly had established the Arab Autism Network and she holds the network Secretary-General position since 2009. She is also a Member of the development of basic education committee for the project “Al Akd El Ektemaay”.