Dubai Autism Centre – An inclusive community for kids with ASD
- Overview
- Facilities at Dubai Autism Centre
- Services at Dubai Autism Centre
- Internship and Volunteering at DAC
- FAQs
They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’. This is even more true for kids with autism. Finding a community that understands the unique needs of an autistic child can make all the difference. One such place is the Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), where you’ll find a support network that will help in taking care of your child’s needs and development. In this article, we bring you all the details of the Dubai Autism Centre and the services they provide.
OVERVIEW
With programs designed to promote self-confidence and encourage independence, Dubai Autism Centre aims to provide autistic children with the care they need. It was founded in 2001 as a non-profit organisation and to date, the centre continues to serve children with autism in Dubai.
It started as a counselling institute for children with autism and eventually became an intervention centre in 2003. The new DAC building opened its gate in 2017, which expands over 91,000 square meters. It has a capacity for 238 children and the building is designed keeping in view the latest international standards for children with autism.
FACILITIES AT DAC
Dubai Autism Centre provides various rehabilitation programs and facilities for autistic children. Each facility is designed in accordance with the international educational standards developed for children with autism. Let’s take a detailed look at all the facilities offered at DAC.
CLASSROOMS
There are 34 classrooms at DAC and to cater to the unique needs of every child, each class accommodates 2 to 7 children. Most of the classes have 4 students with 2 teachers. These distribution criteria vary according to the specific requirements of each student. The children start their day from the classroom, where they get their daily schedule and individual educational plans.
ASSESSMENT CLINIC
The assessment clinic at Dubai Autism Centre targets children aged between 2 to 18 years. The clinic is a part of integrated services. The clinic team consists of nine consultants who specialise in educational psychology, clinical psychology, rehabilitation, sociology, language therapy, special education, clinical special education and occupational therapy. The diversity of consultants ensures the accuracy of children’s assessment.
SPEECH THERAPY WING
The speech therapy wing is dedicated to engaging students in conversation. The rooms here are equipped with the latest tools and technologies, encouraging children to express themselves. The experts use Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) and Voice Output Communication Aid (VOCA) devices. For non-verbal children, Mekaton sign language is used for communication.
MOVEMENT THERAPY ROOMS
Parents often struggle with finding the right activities to promote the coordination skills of children with autism. At DAC, the movement therapy rooms are designed to improve balance and increase the mobility of students through trampolines, physio balls and wobble boards.
DARK SENSORY ROOM
The dark sensory room at Dubai Autism Centre helps children explore their surroundings in a safe environment. The room has sensory soft play equipment, soft wall and floor padding, and LED Sensory tools such as an interactive ball pool, bubble tubes and fibre optic curtains. This room aims to familiarise the children with sound, lights, colour and aromas.
VOCATIONAL TRAINING ROOM
To make sure that your child has employable skills before they graduate, DAC has a vocational training room. This is where your children will have dedicated stations to engage in pre-vocational and vocational activities. They will learn to make fridge magnets, bracelets, key chains and much more.
ROBOT-ASSISTED THERAPY ROOM
The Robot Assisted Therapy Room or RAT has ZORABOTS (the bots known for providing human care). They assist students in social and physical exchange, boosting their self-confidence. Children with autism often need a little nudge when it comes to communication. And Zora offers many therapeutic scenarios to help the students to achieve their learning goals.
LIVING SKILLS WING
To teach students important life skills such as dining, bathing and dressing, the living skills wing has a 3-bedroom mock apartment. It gives children a sense of independence and helps them to navigate their daily lives.
Other facilities at the Dubai Autism Centre include:
- Soft Play Room
- Occupational Therapy Rooms
- Computer Labs
- Art and Handcraft workshops
- Music Room
- Swimming Pool
- Gym
- Playgrounds
- Photo Studio
- Barber Shop
- Library
- Cafeteria
SERVICES AT DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE
DAC is more than a community for autistic children. It offers many services to ensure the students enrolled here have everything they need. Let’s have a quick look at the services DAC offers.
CLINICAL SERVICES
The diagnostic unit at DAC provides assessment, identification and screening of ASD and other associated conditions. The assessment makes it easier to devise a customised intervention for each student.
THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS
To make sure that the children receive specialised care, DAC offers therapeutic programs. These programs include occupational therapy, integration therapy, speech therapy and more.
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
A dedicated learning space at DAC adds to the overall attraction of this community. Special education needs of all children are taken care of inside and outside the classroom through a holistic curriculum. Each student receives an individual educational plan devised by the experts at DAC. These plans reflect each child’s unique qualities whilst also addressing their specific needs.
SPECIALISED ACTIVITIES
You will be pleased to know that your child at DAC will be in touch with his artistic side. There is an arts and crafts workshop for students to encourage creativity. Their artwork is displayed at the library. There are 2 swimming pools that offer hydrotherapy under experts’ watchful eye. The gym at DAC has all the modern equipment where students can take fitness classes or opt for martial arts and yoga.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Dubai Autism Centre has launched the “Gain and Retain” training program. The project’s goal is to give parents and professionals a platform where they can develop technical skills and expand their knowledge of ASD.
TAQYEEM
DAC provides introductory consultation and comprehensive assessment services for children who are suspected of having ASD. It involves an elaborate diagnosis process. Taqyeem operated as per the regulations of the Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation (MOHRE) in the UAE.
TADAKHOL
Tadakhol offers one-on-one therapy sessions to individuals between 2 years to 22 years. The offered therapies are:
- ABA Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- OT Therapy and Physical Therapy
TAAHEEL
This program includes all services offered at Dubai Autism Centre. It is supervised by highly trained professionals who provide evidence-based and accredited programs to support people with autism. There are 34 classrooms, 22 motor therapy rooms, 3 sensory therapy rooms and 13 speech therapy rooms at the centre.
TADREEB
Tadreeb at DAC refers to an extensive range of training and courses offered to promote awareness about autism. QABA approves Dubai Autism Centre. You can apply for the following courses.
- Applied Behaviour Analysis Technician (ABAT) Course
- Qualified Autism Services Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S) Course
- Autism Core Knowledge (ACK) Course
- Training and Supervision (T&S) Course
- Teachers Trainings
- ABA Parents Training
INTERNSHIP AND VOLUNTEERING AT DAC
DAC internship is suitable for both students as well as professionals. You can apply here if you’re looking to work with diverse and multilingual staff to gain experience. The interns have exposure to different aspects of facilities and services offered at the centre. You are awarded a certificate of internship on the completion of 3 to 12 weeks.
DAC highly values volunteers. While anyone can volunteer, people below the age of 16 need consent from either a parent or teacher. If you’re willing to volunteer at the centre, you can choose from the following:
- Direct student interaction
- Fundraising department
FAQS ABOUT DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE
WHAT IS THE DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE LOCATION?
DAC is located at 20 B Street, opposite National Charity School, Garhoud.
WHAT ARE THE DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE OPENING TIMES?
Dubai Autism Centre is open from Monday to Thursday between 07:30 am to 03:00 pm.
WHAT ARE THE DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE CONTACT DETAILS?
You can contact DAC at +971-4-398-6862 (103) for projects and events. For admission and assessment, you can contact them at +971-4-398-6862.
WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR THE DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
You can easily apply for the Dubai Autism Centre internship program through their website. All you have to do is fill out the signup form.
WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR THE DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM?
The Dubai Autism Centre volunteer program is open throughout the academic year. You can fill out the volunteer application form on their website and a coordinator will contact you.
And that’s all folks!Dubai Autism Centre ensures that your children have a place where they feel safe. Akin to these ideals, there are special needs schools in Dubai with excellent educational facilities.
Parents willing to learn more can be a part of Autism Awareness Day in Dubai, a government initiative with the aim of making the city disability friendly.
If you’re looking for an inclusive space for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, you might find our guide to MyMaximus in DIP useful.