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What do parents of special needs children in UAE need?

Today, 29 Down Syndrome students are integrated in mainstream schools, with two children reaching secondary level.

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Rebecca Corley, who started All4DownSyndrome support group 14 years ago, said groups allow new parents of special needs to access the right kind of information, instead of the Internet that sometimes gives inaccurate answers that don't match each case.
How much does it cost to educate a special needs child in UAE?
The group has helped connect families to right entities for help, hosted talks and conferences with world experts to keep families up to date and organised volunteering sporting events to hone children's skills.
 "We are there to tell families that having a special needs child isn't the end of the world, it's only a change in plans," said Corley, whose group supported over 100 families across the years.
What are the biggest challenges for special needs centres in Dubai?
Corley, who has a teenage daughter with Down Syndrome, said the UAE has come a long way in providing more early intervention centres that did not exceed three centres back then.  Today, 29 Down Syndrome students are integrated in mainstream schools, with two children reaching secondary level.
 The challenge, she noted, isn't only the gap between students but also the quality of supporting system. "Hiring a shadow teacher can cost up to Dh8,000 a month on top of school fees," she said.
Bittersweet journey for parents with special needs children in UAE
 The advancement of early intervention has brought in well-qualified experts, which made rehabilitation centre overpriced. Corley added that insurance companies are reserved about giving services to special needs children, which adds a burden to families.
But with challenges facing families of special needs, Corley said UAE's different facilities, like Mawaheb art studio, have been offering support, with many opportunities expected in the future across the country.

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Disabled care and rehabilitation centres in Dubai

> UAE Down Syndrome Association - 41
> Dubai Club For the Disabled - 422
> Saif Center for Autism and Asperger's Syndrome - 46
> Sheikha Maitha bint Rashid Al Maktoum for People with special needs Center - 67
> Dubai Center for Special Needs - 146
> Dubai Autism Center - 53
> Dubai Rehabilitation Center for Disabled - 140
> Emirates Center for Special Needs - 15
> Al Noor Training Center for Children with Special Needs - 269
> Rashid Center for Pediatric Therapy - 188
> Modern Center for Speech and Language - N/A - Source: Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA)
Numbers represent registered students for 2015/16 year*
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com