The History of the Center…
Our humble beginning as the five Ace’s started back in the late 1970s with the determination of Five parents with Special needs children in a villa donated by the Late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed AL Maktoum.
At the same time, the Board of Governors was appointed by the Ruler’s office. As demand for specialized education continued to increase, the “Five Aces” grew to support more than 40 students and was renamed Aseef School in 1983.
As Aseef school started to service children with special needs in the community, there was a need for more space, with full support from the Ruler’s Office second villa was donate at this time.
It was then when H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, very generously donated 300,000 sq. ft piece of land and a generous amount of money to build the first custom-built state-of-the-art facility.
It was in that same year that in line with international standards the name “Aseef School” was renamed to Dubai Center for Special Needs (DCSN).
Since its inception, the Board of Governors and the management have worked tirelessly for the welfare of the students and with the vision of being the best Special Needs center in the region. With steadfast determination and a will to succeed we have made the realization of our dream a reality.
In 2015, Dubai Center for Special Needs was selected as the winner of the Outstanding Special Needs Center for Special Education. Over the years, DCSN has maintained its high standards of services through sponsorship and support from the local community.
Dubai Center for Special Needs is dedicated to serving the needs of people of determination of all ages. We believe that every child is an individual and has the right to live and reach their full potential.
Currently, the Center has students, ranging from the ages of 3-30 years old. The students have various kinds of disabilities and coming from different nationalities. They all receive individualized and multidisciplinary education and rehabilitation by our highly qualified staff.
Together we can make a difference in the life of our Students with determination!
Vision of the School
DCSN aims to serve the diverse academic, physical, social, and emotional needs of our students. All aspects of our organization’s curriculum and activities are designed to assist people with determination with different needs to achieve success.
Our team seeks to enhance the quality of life of individuals with special needs and their families by:
- Promoting their independence, productivity, empowerment and social participation within the community
- Offering high quality, effective community-based programs and social support services to individuals and their families
- Encouraging the prevention of disabilities through training and public awareness
- Providing advocacy, interdisciplinary training, technical assistance and sharing relevant information to meet the goals above
At DCSN we are committed to providing each student the key to a positive life and lighting their path to a brighter future.
Organization
Dubai Center for Special Needs is divided into different sections to cater for the differing needs of the students: Primary, Adult Education consisting of Academic and Pre-Vocational and Multi-Sensory. Each section sets specific goals for the year as well as monthly educational themes.
Therapy plays a pivotal role in the growth of our students. We have several dedicated therapists who work with students on a daily basis to improve their skills. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy, individual and group sessions, are scheduled on a regular basis depending on each student’s needs.
Enrichment programs such as art therapy, music therapy, and physical education are also integral parts of students’ learning. These various programs play an important role in physical development, building self-confidence, and gaining new life skills.
Facilities
At Dubai Center for Special Needs we are proud of the many custom made facilities that students are able to access as part of their curriculum and timetable.
These include a Sensory Integration room, Snoezelen room, and Soft Play. These specifically tailored rooms facilitate students in self-regulation, vestibular exercise programs and improve play skills with peers.
We also have a fully equipped fitness center and swimming pool which are managed by qualified Physical Education teachers to promote physical wellness.
DCSN has many other resources including a medical clinic, fully equipped kitchens, music room, home economics room, woodworking shop, IT lab and a well-stocked library.
These facilities along with our emphasis on therapy, education, social skills, environment, nutrition and play makes DCSN a holistic and encouraging environment personalized to each of our student’s abilities.
Management
The Board of Directors consists of dedicated and prominent members of the community, who work within the health, education, business and public service sectors. They meet regularly with the director in regard to implementing policies and supporting on matters regarding the future development of the Center.
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DCSN is managed on a day to day basis by the director, a qualified Child and Family Psychologist who has been integral to the Center’s growth since its inception.
