Latest news with #AutismDay
Al Etihad
27-04-2025
- General
- Al Etihad
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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." Year of Community Continue full coverage
Gulf Today
27-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
ECAE hosts 11th edition of annual Autism Day Forum
In line with the UAE's leadership vision to promote inclusivity in education and as part of the Year of Community 2025, the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) hosted the 11th edition of its annual Autism Day Forum on April 24. Held during Autism Awareness Month, the forum brought together educators, families, and advocates for educational and social inclusion with an aim to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders and promote inclusive practices that strengthen family and community ties, encourage cooperation, and support integration within the education system. Since its launch in 2014, the annual forum has been an integral part of ECAE's ongoing efforts to involve the UAE community in building a more supportive and inclusive educational environment. The 2025 edition featured in-depth discussions on inclusion, community engagement, and collaboration. 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.' Dr Al Taee highlighted that Autism Day is recognised as a national platform that unifies educational and community efforts to improve learning opportunities, raise awareness, and enhance the educational capabilities of individuals with autism. Including autistic students in UAE schools enriches the educational experience for all learners. The forum featured a range of innovative activities and initiatives highlighting the importance of inclusive education and presenting successful integration models. The programme included awareness sessions, student-produced videos on inclusion, and a segment focused on different types of inclusive education that addresses learning challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. A panel discussion titled Inclusion: From the Classroom to the Community brought together educators and policymakers to offer a comprehensive perspective on inclusion, exploring both its challenges and opportunities. The session included contributions from the Ministry of Education, Hemam for Inclusive Education services – ALAZZA, Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education, and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, along with examples of collaborative models that emphasised the essential role of families, schools, and communities in building an inclusive society. More than 13 organisations and institutions participated in the forum, including the Ministry of Education-affiliated schools, local and international centres, and students of determination, who presented their innovative projects and initiatives. The forum served as a unified platform for sharing experiences and best practices, supporting the advancement of an inclusive educational ecosystem in the UAE. Attendees also participated in interactive activities that celebrated the achievements of individuals with autism and highlighted successful inclusive education practices. The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the UAE's commitment to building an educational and social environment that values diversity and recognises the essential role each individual plays in building a sustainable and inclusive future. The Dubai Autism Centre launched its 19th month-long Autism Awareness Campaign on April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day. The campaign features a diverse range of events and activities, including the commemorative illumination of several iconic landmarks in Dubai in blue in celebration of World Autism Awareness Day. Additionally, the campaign will include weekly workshops in schools across the UAE to educate teachers and staff on early detection methods for autism, along with weekly segments on the 'Balsam' show on Noor Dubai TV to raise autism awareness. The Dubai Autism Centre will also offer free early detection and comprehensive assessment sessions for children with autism and developmental disorders.
Zawya
26-04-2025
- General
- Zawya
Emirates College for Advanced Education marks UAE Year of Community with 11th Annual Autism Day Forum
Abu Dhabi: In line with the UAE's leadership vision to promote inclusivity in education and as part of the Year of Community 2025, the Emirates College for Advanced Education (ECAE) hosted the 11th edition of its annual Autism Day Forum on April 24. Held during Autism Awareness Month, the forum brought together educators, families, and advocates for educational and social inclusion with an aim to raise awareness of autism spectrum disorders and promote inclusive practices that strengthen family and community ties, encourage cooperation, and support integration within the education system. Since its launch in 2014, the annual forum has been an integral part of ECAE's ongoing efforts to involve the UAE community in building a more supportive and inclusive educational environment. The 2025 edition featured in-depth discussions on inclusion, community engagement, and collaboration. 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.' Dr Al Taee highlighted that Autism Day is recognised as a national platform that unifies educational and community efforts to improve learning opportunities, raise awareness, and enhance the educational capabilities of individuals with autism, including autistic students in UAE schools enriches the educational experience for all learners. The forum featured a range of innovative activities and initiatives highlighting the importance of inclusive education and presenting successful integration models. The programme included awareness sessions, student-produced videos on inclusion, and a segment focused on different types of inclusive education that addresses learning challenges such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. A panel discussion titled Inclusion: From the Classroom to the Community brought together educators and policymakers to offer a comprehensive perspective on inclusion, exploring both its challenges and opportunities. The session included contributions from the Ministry of Education, Hemam for Inclusive Education services – ALAZZA, Special Olympics Global Center for Inclusion in Education, and Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, along with examples of collaborative models that emphasised the essential role of families, schools, and communities in building an inclusive society. More than 13 organisations and institutions participated in the forum, including the Ministry of Education-affiliated schools, local and international centers, and students of determination, who presented their innovative projects and initiatives. The forum served as a unified platform for sharing experiences and best practices, supporting the advancement of an inclusive educational ecosystem in the UAE. Attendees also participated in interactive activities that celebrated the achievements of individuals with autism and highlighted successful inclusive education practices. The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the UAE's commitment to building an educational and social environment that values diversity and recognises the essential role each individual plays in building a sustainable and inclusive future.
