ECAE's Autism Day event spotlights how inclusive education makes a difference in lives of students on spectrum
27 Apr 2025 16:32
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)The Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) hosted the 11th Autism Day Forum on April 24, as part of its initiatives with the Year of Community 2025 and the UAE vision for inclusive education.Scheduled as part of Autism Awareness Month, the forum brought together educators, families, and advocates, recognising autism and promoting inclusive practices, as well as connecting people with their communities.Since it began in 2014, the forum has been the cornerstone of the ECAE's developing supportive educational environment, with the 2025 edition built around an inclusion, engagement, and collaboration theme.It opened with a speech by a student with autism from Special Olympics UAE, followed by a keynote address from Dr. May Laith Al Taee, Vice Chancellor of ECAE.Dr Al Taee said: 'At ECAE, we believe that inclusion is a shared social responsibility that extends beyond schools, classrooms, and institutions. It requires comprehensive collaboration across all segments of society to integrate individuals on the autism spectrum and empower them to take active roles within the community. This vision aligns with the goals of the Year of Community and creating inclusive spaces rooted in the values of cooperation and collective responsibility, ultimately driving progress for all.'Autism Day is a national platform that unifies efforts to raise awareness, improve learning opportunities, and enrich education for all by supporting autistic students in UAE schools, Dr Al Taee added.The forum showcased inclusive education initiatives and successful integration models, creating a platform to share best practices and strengthen the UAE's inclusive education ecosystem that addresses learning challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and anxiety.More than 13 organisations, including Ministry of Education schools and local and international centres, joined the forum, where students of determination showcased innovative projects. Attendees also took part in activities celebrating the achievements of individuals with autism and successful inclusive practices.The event seeks to raise public awareness of the situations faced by students with autism. At the same time, it aimed to bring out innovative learning opportunities and teaching strategies for educators in the UAE and beyond.Through the forum, the community 'discussed how to build truly inclusive education—not just shared spaces, but environments that foster a deep sense of belonging', said Dr. Farah El Zein, Assistant Professor of Special and Inclusive Education at Emirates College (ECAE) for Advanced Education. The 11th edition saw stronger involvement from the Ministry of Education (MOE), with a focus on inclusive education for individuals with autism, in line with the UAE's Year of Community."This edition's theme is about building inclusive support systems for people with autism through collaboration and community partnerships, aiming for system-wide transformation—not just isolated efforts," Dr. El Zein said.As a government college, the ECAE integrates inclusion into all its programmes — PGDEs, master's degrees, and training for future and current educators, she said. 'We focus on transforming the education ecosystem through research-informed practice and community engagement."Inclusion, she pointed out, goes beyond 'simply sharing space'. "Real inclusion means creating environments where people of determination feel they belong — socially, emotionally, and academically. It requires lifelong support, from early childhood to independent living, and a united effort from all sectors of society," Dr. El Zein said.Farah Al Qaissieh, Managing Director at the Speechcare Center and Founder of Stutter UAE — who is among the partners for the event — highlighted the importance of inclusive education 'not only for children on the autism spectrum but also for others with neurological or developmental disorders'.'It promotes equal opportunities, understanding, empathy, and acceptance across schools and communities,' Al Qaissieh said. At Speechcare and with the Stutter community, the mission is to empower children with communication, language, and speech disorders, equipping parents, educators, and employers to create more inclusive environments, she said. These communities also reach out to educational institutions to identify communication disorders and help classrooms become more supportive, while guiding families on addressing challenges without affecting academic or mental wellbeing, Al Qaissieh said."Once we embed inclusive education, workforces, and communities, it becomes the norm, helping each individual reach their full potential," Al Qaissieh concluded.
As the Master of Ceremonies for the event, 17-year-old Mohammed Al Balushi, who is on the autism spectrum, shared his message for people with autism: "Express yourself with confidence, because people judge you by the way you present yourself."
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