Special Needs Support Groups in Dubai
You don't have to feel alone in the UAE...
14 November 2017
Editor
What many residents and especially expats in Dubai don’t know about this city is that it’s full of active support groups and non-profit organisations and initiatives that raise awareness and give friendly support.
The number of these support groups in the UAE is constantly rising for all manner of issues, including support groups for parents and children with special needs.
And here some support groups that are active in Dubai:
1. All for Down's Syndrome - Dubai
This support group aims to raise awareness about children with Down syndrome, while giving help and support for their parents in Dubai.
The majority of this voluntary support groups’ members are parents to children with Down syndrome, and/or adults with the syndrome. Professionals and experts from medical and educational facilities are also involved with the group.
All for Down’s Syndrome group meets on Wednesdays and includes a music/sing-a-long session.
2. Riding for the Disabled - Dubai
This non-profit organisation is located in International City, Dubai. And provides horse riding sessions and lessons for children with special needs, for therapeutic purposes. Riding for the Disabled relies completely on volunteers and help from other organisations to keep running. Most sessions and lessons run in the mornings during weekdays.
3. Special Families Support Group - Dubai
This support group aims to connect families of children with special needs to share hopes, strengths, and challenges. They hold many public events, and organise fashion shows, dance performances, parties, and a lot more, to integrate families and parents of children with special needs, and even individuals with different situations.
SFS also focuses on providing coping techniques and strategies to the entire family, especially fathers and siblings of children with special needs, as they also hold responsibility of bringing up the child with the special condition in the family.
4. UAE Down Syndrome Association - Dubai
This non-profit organisation was accredited in 2006 by the Ministry of Social Affairs to help and support people with Down Syndrome in the UAE, and raise awareness. They aim to improve the quality of life of people with Down Syndrome, and empower them through achieving their full potential to participate effectively and productively in society.
5. Parent Point - Abu Dhabi
This support group is located in the capital, and it targets all parents of children with special needs, as it encourages them to ask questions, share experiences, challenges, and connect with other parents.
They run a morning session of Tuesdays from 9-10:30 AM, and an evening session on Mondays from 8:30-10 PM.