Special needs schools and learning centres in Dubai
Dubai has become one of the best places to live, with a strong focus on inclusivity. As a result, there are now numerous special needs schools in Dubai that provide excellent facilities, ensuring that every child, regardless of their learning and developmental progress, has access to education.
Please note that most schools mentioned in this article do not display their fees on their websites. It’s advisable to call the respective institutions to inquire about their fee structure.
BEST SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS IN DUBAI
Raising kids with special needs requires commitment and patience. Things can get more manageable when you have a support system to help overcome the unique challenges and concerns – and that is precisely what schools for special needs education in Dubai aim to provide.
Let’s look at these special education centres in Dubai and their services for children.
DUBAI CENTRE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS (DCSN)
Located in Al Safa, the Dubai Centre for Special Needs is one of the top schools for children of determination. This school has four distinguished facets – Nursery, Academic, Multi-Sensory and Prevocational. Each section works towards achieving your child’s specific monthly and yearly learning and development goals.
Apart from the learning facility, the centre offers access to a swimming pool and a fully-equipped fitness gym to ensure the physical well-being of its students. In addition, they pay special attention to arts, crafts and clinical therapy to support children’s social, educational and cognitive development.
- Location: 45th Street, Near Safa Park, Sheikh Zayed Road (E11)
- Curriculum: ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network)
- Contact: +971-4-344-0966 | +971-50-556-7264
AL NOOR TRAINING CENTRE
Established in 1981, Al Noor Training Centre (also known as Al Noor Rehabilitation & Welfare Association for People of Determination) in Al Barsha 1 is dedicated to enriching the young minds of children with cognitive and physical challenges.
Employing a holistic approach to the development and well-being of students, this special needs school in Dubai offers an all-inclusive curriculum for the training and development of children of determination.
The school extends support therapies, co-curricular activities, vocational training and work placement schemes for students. Any child with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aged between 3 and 17, can enrol at the Al Noor school for their training programmes in Dubai.
This school features a large sports auditorium, swimming pool, well-equipped gym, dance and yoga studio, music room, art and craft studio, play areas, therapy rooms and a library. It is also one of the top places to donate in Dubai.
- Location: Building No. 01, Street No. 21, Al Barsha 1
- Curriculum: UNCRPD (United Nations Conventions on Rights for Persons with Disabilities)
- Contact: +971-4-340-4844
SNF CHILDREN DEVELOPMENT CENTRE
The Special Needs Future Development Centre is a certified ASDAN (Award Scheme Development & Accreditation Network) school in Dubai. The centre offers personalised professional support to young adults with special needs. Students aged 14 and above get help to become self-reliant personally and professionally.
SNF Children Development Centre trains young people of determination for successful integration into the workforce with individualised learning plans. These plans set behavioural and academic goals for students that develop and enhance their methodical approaches and problem-solving abilities.
The teachers at the school use audio-visual aids and iPads to ease students’ learning process. The school also provides speech therapy, physiotherapy and social skills training programmes. Aside from training, SNF offers extra-curricular activities like cricket, badminton, swimming, riding, yoga, Zumba and dancing in Dubai.
- Location: Villa No. 9, 6th Street, Al Mankhool (behind Dubai Public Library)
- Curriculum: ASDAN
- Contact: +971-4-334-9818 | +971-50-557-0987
MAHARAT LEARNING CENTRE
Next on our list of special needs schools in Dubai is Maharat Learning Centre. The centre provides educational, therapeutic, counselling and training services for special children in Dubai.
Maharat Learning Centre ensures behavioural assessments, one-on-one behavioural therapy, tutoring for specific learning difficulties, school shadowing, school supervision and support services, and vocational and life skills training.
They also use Augmentative Alternative Communication (ABA) teaching approaches, online resources, virtual reality and other cutting-edge tools and technology to teach kids the tangible skills they need to excel in life.
- Location: Suite HP011, Ground Floor, Marsa Plaza, Dubai Festival City
- Contact: +971-4-288-8104
RASHID CENTRE FOR PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION
Suppose you are looking for schools in Dubai for special needs that offer a child- and family-centric environment. In that case, the Rashid Centre for People of Determination (also known as Rashid Centre) is the place to be. Operating on empathy, innovation and individuality, this special needs school in Dubai weaves in professional expertise to ensure that students have strong determination and aspirations.
Rashid Centre capitalises on an integrated learning environment to deliver and develop life skills and abilities that help children of determination to overcome the challenges of everyday life. Rashid Centre has everything your child requires, from therapies and integrated services to behaviour and management support to address their special needs.
While the junior level is centred around the British Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, Rashid Centre implements Integrated Learning Groups (ILG) and Integrated Sensory Learning Groups (ISL) across the middle and senior sections. The institute welcomes children as young as four years old.
- Location: Behind Mall of the Emirates, Al Barsha 1
- Contact: +971-4-340-0005
JAD’S INCLUSION (JI)
Established in 2012 by Rana Akkad, Jad’s Inclusion (JI) is a non-profit learning centre in Dubai that aims to bridge the gap between mainstream and special needs schools. JI runs a three-week assessment, based on which they suggest an IEP (Individual Education Plan) ensuring children’s academic, social and emotional growth. Their programme focuses on Math, English, Social Studies, gardening and technology.
In addition to a full-day programme, they offer therapies and training to students, parents and nannies. They also provide after-school learning support classes and functional skills programmes to help students build pre-vocational skills.
Their acceptance process is pretty simple. They put a child through a 20-minute screening session to analyse their cognitive abilities and determine the type of programme suited to their needs.
- Location: Safa 1
- Contact: +971-4-399-9822
RENAISSANCE SCHOOL
The Renaissance School is one of the best SEN schools in Dubai. It is an inclusive educational institution that prioritises providing a supportive and enriching environment for all students, including those with special needs. The school’s special needs program is designed to cater to the unique learning requirements of children with diverse abilities, ensuring they receive an education that is both challenging and accessible.
The curriculum at this popular special needs school in Dubai is highly individualised and tailored. It is adapted for children with special needs to focus on their strengths while addressing areas that require additional support. The school employs a multidisciplinary approach by integrating academic learning with therapies and skill-building activities that promote social, emotional, and physical development.
The content is modified to suit each child’s learning pace and style in math, science and language. For instance, students may receive simplified instructions, alternative assignments or assistive technology to help them engage with the material. The curriculum also emphasises life skills and practical learning, preparing students for independent living and future employment opportunities.
- Location: Dubai Sports City
- Curriculum: Individualised Education Plans (IEPs)
- Contact: +971-4-589-7717 | +971-54-994-6118
POPULAR LEARNING CENTRES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN DUBAI
DUBAI AUTISM CENTRE
Since April 2001, Dubai Autism Centre has been a modern learning facility for autistic children that caters to their specific environmental and sensory needs.
The centre employs highly trained professionals who deliver accredited developmental and support programmes to autistic individuals and their families. The Dubai Autism Centre focuses on providing holistic learning and therapeutic interventions for people with autism to help them become active and conscious residents of Dubai.
The facility has 34 classrooms that can accommodate up to seven children. There is also an assessment clinic, a pool, a gym, a playground, a photo studio, a library, robot-assisted therapy areas and vocational training rooms on the campus.
- Location: 20 B Street, Opp. National Charity School, Garhoud
- Curriculum: IEP (Individual Educational Plans)
- Contact: 800-288-476
HEMAM DIFFICULTIES CENTRE DUBAI
Established in 2018, HEMAM Difficulties Centre (also known as HEMAM/Hemam) is an inclusive learning facility for autistic children in Dubai. The institute has a team of professionals focusing on speech and language therapies, behaviour analysis and personalised learning plans to help your child overcome their learning difficulties.
Hemam is nestled in a mainstream school— The Aquila School — offering students an opportunity to familiarise themselves with a typical academic environment.
- Location: Office # 108, Sheikh Zayed Street, Al Zarouni Business Centre, Al Barsha 1
- Curriculum: Principles of ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis)
- Contact: +971-4-586-2728 | +971-4-591-9647
Are you looking for more options? You can enrol your child in Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre (DECDC), a unique early intervention program for children with special needs.
FAQs ABOUT BEST SCHOOLS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS IN DUBAI
WHAT ARE SOME SCHOOLS THAT HAVE INCLUSIVE CURRICULUMS IN DUBAI?
Sunmarke School, GEMS Royal Dubai School and the Millennium School are amongst the best schools with inclusive curriculums in Dubai.
WHAT ARE SOME AFFORDABLE SCHOOLS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CURRICULUMS IN DUBAI?
Affordable schools that provide special needs education include Elite English School and New Indian Model School.
WHICH ARE THE TOP SPECIAL NEEDS SCHOOLS IN ABU DHABI?
Emirates Autism Centre and Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination are some of the top special needs schools in Abu Dhabi.
With that, we end this list of special needs schools in Dubai, UAE. In addition to these special education schools in Dubai, the government has taken many initiatives under the National Policy for Empowering People with Disabilities to support children’s special educational needs.
Facilities for People of Determination in Dubai impact various aspects of their lives. You can also apply for a POD card in Dubai. Our guide lists all the necessary details.
Are you living in the capital? You can find many places providing speech and language therapy in Abu Dhabi.
