Integreat Centre teaches essential lessons of life

Young adults with special needs get a chance to develop social and safety skills, as courses pose some serious questions

DUBAI // Fire safety, health tips and skills for job placements are being taught to young adults with disabilities to help them gain independence and cope with stressful situations such as emergencies.

The Integreat Centre likens itself to a higher education facility for young adults with special needs who have limited opportunities after they finish school.

During fire drills, students are taught not just to head to the nearest fire exit but to check for alternatives if a staircase is blocked and to roll to the floor if flames reach their clothing.

“Options need to be introduced because it is something that they can be surprised with or they may be thrown off guard and not know how to respond,” said Ayukta Thakur, co-founder and head of educational development.

“It’s not just about a fire drill, because teachers introduce different scenarios. Some students have a routine, like those with autism, so they must be allowed to transition. They sing a song, ‘Stop, drop and roll’, to practise what to do if flames are on their body.”

Students watch YouTube videos, followed by discussions and visits to fire stations, grocery shops and wellness centres to re-emphasise learning. Sessions cover poisonous substances in the household, caution while taking medication and awareness of internet safety.

“Safety sessions help students to understand what poison is. We talk about the procedures to follow in an emergency, how to call the fire department and ambulance,” said Nikita Patel, co- founder and head of business development.

“We speak about not allowing strangers into the house and, since some students have Facebook accounts, we talk about not putting too much information online.”

Students’ capabilities vary widely, with disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy and Down syndrome, to slow learners and those with autism spectrum disorders. As part of money management, they use calculators or smartphones to figure out basic cash transactions required at a grocery shop.

“This is more like a higher educational setting, so just like mainstream students go to university this is the next step for these students after school,” Ms Patel said.

Apart from classrooms, there are mock kitchen, storage, bedroom and bath areas to teach hygiene and practise everyday skills such as ironing, folding clothes, setting the table and preparing simple meals.

The centre off Al Wasl Road opened last September and takes in students aged 16 to 25.

Within the large compound, an area is being readied with road signs, zebra crossings and speed bumps to teach road safety.

Discussions with businesses on placements for students in hotels, banks, salons and the retail sector are taking place.

For now, teachers said dealing with regular life situations would help their charges to engage with the wider community.

“Learning social graces like greeting people, responding with a smile and making eye contact will help in the workplace or even when they show up in shops,” said Janette Glave, a counsellor.

“Some with lower cognitive ability have not had much interaction outside their own family and developing those social and emotional skills can be difficult. This helps them to understand that this social communication is expected when you are out and about in the community.”