The capital cares

Abu Dhabi Week visits a school that is looking past disabilities to make a better future for children with special needs

As we walk through the school gates we hear the voices of happy children at morning assembly. We are immediately filled with a warm, fuzzy feeling as we walk up the steps of the villa and through the doors to be welcomed by a room full of smiling faces.

This is the Special Care Centre (SCC), a non-profit school nestled in the heart of the capital whose team has admirably dedicated itself to children with special needs for 25 years.

Operating out of a modest villa with only six classrooms, SCC works within its limits. But all of that is set to change next year upon completion of a purpose-built campus funded by the Donate A Brick campaign.

Laying the foundation

Established in 1989, SCC is one of a handful of schools in the capital that caters to children with special needs.

“We started with ten children. Now we have 65 children from almost 14 nationalities and 140 on the waiting list,” says headmistress Nisha Thomas.

Upon admittance at SCC, each child is assessed by the team to determine their strengths and needs.

“Each has his/her own Individualised Education Plan (IEP) based on the ability of the child. It covers fine motor, gross motor, academics, social skills and communication skills.”

Children currently at the school have a range of moderate and mild disabilities from Down’s syndrome and cerebral palsy to autism and attention deficit hyperactive disorder. For this reason, the centre takes a holistic approach to let each child’s individual personality shine through. Because most of the teachers have a background in special education and psychology, the centre is able to adopt a psycho-educational philosophy that focuses on the individual needs of each child.

Looking beyond any disabilities, the growth of the children across all developmental areas is of utmost importance. Besides the tailored education programme, the children are also taken on field trips around the city to allow them to interact with members of the community, improve their social skills and create awareness within the community about the abilities of the children. From regular activities such as horse riding, karate and swimming to once-in-a-lifetime trips including visiting the capital’s iconic Formula 1 circuit and meeting football legend Zinedine Zidane, the students enjoy a variety of outings.

Nurturing individuals

As we walk from one classroom to another, youngsters learn the alphabet with photo cards, while across the hall a senior girls class learns about domestic skills.

While some of the children are reserved and focused on their studies, others are keen to show off their artwork, introduce us to their friends and demonstrate their math skills. The teachers are equally as proud, producing turtles made out of recycled paper, handwoven mats and baskets and colourful paintings made by the students.

For many parents, these activities have opened their eyes to their child’s abilities.

One child, 18-year-old Maureen Engalan, was diagnosed with hyper-autism with mental retardation. Engalan, from the Philippines, has been at the school since she was five.

“When she was younger, she used to go under the table, run around, start spinning here and there, and there was no eye contact,” says Engalan’s mother, Maggie. “They made a lot of improvements; I’m so happy. The teacher was very patient. Now there’s eye contact with gestures so when she needs something she will grab you. She’s doing her homework like mathematics and colouring so quickly.”

Maggie says she plans to keep her daughter at SCC for as long as the school will accept her.

One of the school’s initiatives is to help older students become independent by placing them in suitable job roles.

While two students are currently in training at NMC Healthcare, another two ‘graduates’ have secured full-time jobs at furniture shop The One and Shangri-La Qaryat Al Beri.

Building a new future

Things are looking bright for the SCC, with a new state-of-the-art school campus already under construction. With 140 students on the waiting list, there’s no doubt the school will be a crucial addition to the community.

“The new school is planned for 400 children. Now we are going outside for all activities like swimming, horse riding and the gym but in the new school everything is there,” says an excited Thomas.

“We have a clinic, sensory rooms, cycling tracks, a fully equipped gym, basketball courts, an auditorium and swimming pool. There is a clinic and an early intervention centre, which will function after school for therapy sessions.”

The school will also include a greenhouse, sewing room, computer lab, woodwork shop, music room, home economics room, a health and fitness unit and a clinic that will offer physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and family support services.

The first phase of the campus involves building the classrooms, while the remaining essential facilities will be constructed as the funds come in.

This is where the Donate A Brick Campaign comes in. In 2008, SCC launched the initiative, under the patronage of HH Sheikha Shamma Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to help fund the new campus. A mere AED 5 will buy a ‘brick’ to help construct the purpose-built school, with an aim of selling five million bricks.

“We’re a not-for-profit organisation and mostly our children are from the low and mid-income groups and our fees are very low so that’s why we depend on the community’s support and volunteers,” emphasises Thomas.

Since 2008, the centre’s staff has been busy raising funds by selling students’ artworks at community bazaars and gathering sponsorship, but many funds are still needed.

“The campaign is by the community for the community. Hopefully we can do a better job with the new school,” said Thomas.

The purpose-built campus, which is due to be completed in 2015, is located in Al Bahia, allowing the centre to cater to more children from Bani Yas and Shahama.

For Thomas, who has been with the centre since its inception, the new school has been 25-years in the making.

“It’s a dream. We are expats and we will leave this school for the country and dedicate it to the country.”

Success story

Meet Regi Mary Jose.

Regi, who has Down’s syndrome, recently celebrated her 21st birthday. During her 17 years at SCC, Regi has been taught functional academics, basic pre-vocational skills and domestic skills. She is able to participate in two-way flow of communication with adults and peers.

Regi is a very talented individual who enjoys drawing, painting, craftwork and needlework. She is also a green belt in karate and performs movement-based activities such as yoga and dance with perfection.

Regi has progressed well enough to demonstrate self-sufficiency in functional skills required for independent living. With the help of SCC, she has been placed at NMC Healthcare to get work experience. This training will not only help in improving Regi’s vocational skills but will also help her blossom into a happy, confident and motivated individual.

Rachael Peacock