AUTISM ROCKS SUPPORT CENTRE OPENS IN DUBAI

UK-based charity Autism Rocks has opened a support centre in Dubai Healthcare City to provide therapy for children on the autism spectrum and training to teachers and parents to help them learn how to address challenging situations. The Centre’s Founder Sanjay Shah tells us more about the centre’s services:

What made you launch the centre in the UAE?

We want to offer world-class facilities and services which give back to the community we live in. My wife and I also wanted to provide a place for our youngest son, Nikhil, who was diagnosed on the autism spectrum in 2011, to be able to attend therapy at the centre and receive expert care when he is not at school. In addition, we have witnessed a demand for services in the UAE. The Autism Rocks Support Centre will fill this need in the emirate.

What are the main services you offer?

The centre offers occupational therapy, speech language pathology, psychology and applied behaviour analysis (ABA)services. Through our ABA service, parents can elect to have registered behaviour technicians work in the capacity of school shadows, as well as have their children attend our school readiness programme in which prerequisite skills required to attend a school environment are taught.

What training or support do you offer parents?

We provide a variety of training to parents through our speech, occupational therapy and ABA departments. Currently, a free workshop series on ABA is open for parents to attend. Call 04 442 7012.