SPECIAL EDUCATION 

WELCOME 

Welcome to the website of the Future Centre for Special Needs, Abu Dhabi.  It is our endeavour to continue to upgrade and improve ourselves in order to be at par with the best centres of the world, while working towards our mission.

The students follow a five-day week from 8:15 a.m.  to 1:15 p.m.

At the beginning of the academic year, each student is assessed by a multi-disciplinary team to determine his/her level of functioning in different areas of development. Based on the outcome an Individualised Education Plan is drawn up. This plan is implemented by Special Educators and therapists and the students are assessed periodically to monitor their progress.

There are 20 classes in the Future Centre currently. Each class is headed by a Class Teacher who has one or more assistants, depending on the need of the class. The classes have been grouped into five clusters:

English Academic Classes

This section has seven classes which offer programmes for students who have moderate to severe learning difficulties. There are some students with physical difficulties as well. These classes have students ranging from 3 to 15 years of age. The primary classes follow the Teaching Talking programme which uses a system of screening, detailed profiling and intervention for children from nursery across the primary years.

It is a comprehensive programme that covers the development of functional key skills such as Physical Skills, Self-help and Independence, Eye-hand coordination, Play and Social Skills, Receptive Language and Expressive Skills. At Levels 1 and 2 Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing, Mathematics and Scientific investigation are added. On achieving the Level-2 goals, students are able to follow a graded curriculum. Most of the Academic English classes follow the SRA Language for Learning, Connecting Math Concepts, Specific Skill Series and Language for Writing programmes, all of which are based on Direct Instruction. Direct Instruction is an instructional method that is focused on systematic curriculum design and skillful implementation of a prescribed  script. This scripted method of teaching provides constant interaction between students and the teacher.

Students who are not ready to be placed on the above programmes follow especially designed or modified programmes to suit their individual needs. They include sequential goals and objectives in all key skill areas.

Arabic Classes

There are four classes in this section. They too follow a skill-based, individualised programme structure as the English academic classes but the medium of instruction is Arabic. The more academically inclined students follow the Ministry of Education’s curriculum in Arabic, Mathematics and Science.

Competent Learner Model (CLM)

CLM or Competent Learner Model is a programme from Tucci Learning Solutions, California and is currently being followed in three classes. The CLM model, based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis, develops repertoires that are the core of all learning.  These repertoires provide the foundation skills to be successful with an academic curriculum and the functional skills needed for adulthood.

The Seven Core Repertoires are:

• Participator
• Problem Solver
• Listener
• Observer
• Talker
• Reader
• Writer

The implementation of this model has been initiated since June 2008 at the Future Centre. For more information about the CLM, please visit www.tuccionline.com

Habilitation/Re-habilitation Classes

This group consists of three classes catering to the needs of students, generally with Cerebral Palsy and Global Developmental Delay. The common goal for all the students of this group is to improve their individual capabilities in order for them to function effectively in society. The priority, therefore, is to help students realize their full potential in Self-help, Communication and Social skills. Importance is given to developing the students’ fine and gross motor skills, sensory stimulation and general awareness. Intensive Speech and physiotherapy sessions form a major part of their daily routine, thus ensuring all-round development in a structured and goal-oriented environment. Students, who have the potential, also follow an academic programme.

Vocational Training Classes   

This group currently has three classes- two for boys and one for girls. The focus is on teaching the students skills that will prepare them for life in the community. The students are given training in:

-      Basket weaving

-      Embroidery

-      Cookery

-      Art and craft

-      Attending to telephone calls

-      Data processing

-      Photocopying

-      Laminating

-      Ring-binding

 The selection of students is done on the basis of their individual abilities and interests. The programme includes functional academics, personal management, activities of daily living and participation in various activities and events in the community. The foundations of different skills are laid earlier on in the primary classes where emphasis is placed on developing concepts of hygiene, communication, money and time; apart from pre-academic and academic skills.

Once the older students have acquired some vocational skills, they are sent for on-the job training to various companies in the city. So far, four of our students have been absorbed in the local job market so far.   

Co-curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities help the students to generalize and explore concepts learnt in class. Great emphasis is placed on inculcating independence and appropriate social skills and behavior in the students through these activities.

-      Art and Craft

-      Physical Education

-      Swimming

-      Horse-riding (for selected classes)

-      Field trips and Natural Environment Training