This summer, schoolteachers in Abu Dhabi Emigrate will undergo special training that will help them work well with children with autism. The idea behind the program is to promote inclusive education in private and charter schools.
The initiative is a part of a three-year agreement between the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (Adek) and the UK Department of Education’s Autism Education Trust (AET). The three training modules that the teachers will be receiving have been designed by AET. It has been customized to suit the local needs. Schools can avail it for their teachers by contacting Adek.
Acting director for Adek’s Students of Determination Office Kevin Baskerville informed that the program had three main principles. The first is to focus on the strengths of the kids with intellectual disabilities like autism, rather than on the challenges. The second is to foster a positive attitude towards kids on the autism spectrum. The third is to help them achieve scholastic goals, which would eventually help them participate actively in society.
This is the third major step taken by Adek towards inclusive education for children with autism. Before this, a school with 260 seats was opened in 2019. Recently, they also started a vocational training institute for young adults with autism.
