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Dubai: Dubai Autism Center (DAC) celebrated the graduation of the first batch of its training program entitled “Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT)” which is designed for special educators with an aim to assist in delivering behavioral analysis services and practice under the direction and close supervision of Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
The RBT program was delivered by the DAC Autism Program Head, Nicholas Orland, Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), and an adjunct professor of Applied Behavioral Analysis in two Universities in the United States of America.
Mohammed Al Emadi, Director General and Board Member of the DAC said, “We congratulate all the graduating staff. I am confident that the knowledge gained by them has equipped them with the necessary skills to excel in their profession and would help achieve our mission of improving the lives of children with autism,"
“With its modern integrated facilities, Dubai Autism Center is keen to develop its professional team in line with its provided specialized programs in the framework of an evidence-based corresponding curriculum that combines the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA),” Al Emadi said.
Al Emadi praised the cooperation of Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) with the center in approving the training programs offered at the DAC for professionals and parents, stressing that all its specialized employees obtain the necessary licenses to practice the professions either from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) or the Community Development Authority (CDA).
"Certificates, assessment reports and other documents issued by the Dubai Autism Center are certified by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which contributes to enhancing the reliability of the Center's documents with regard to the qualifications of their holders,” Al Emadi added.
“The program included 40 training hours dispensed across three months, covering over 150 critical terms, complex ABA principles, and competencies on Precision Teaching, Pivotal Response Training (PRT), Discrete Trial Training (DTT), and Natural Environment Training (NET),” said Nicholas Orland, DAC Head of Autism Program
"The important part in the applied behavior analysis is the accurate and continuous evaluation of the child's performance which can be professionally done by the registered behavior technician (RBT) who monitors the child's behaviors, records information, then divides difficult and complex skills into simple skills that are easy for the child to learn,” Orland explained.
Founded by a decree of the ruler of Dubai in 2001, Dubai Autism Center is a non-profit organization that aims to provide specialized services to take care for children with autism and provide support for their families and their caregivers. The financial resources of the center consists of subsidies, donations and any charitable endowments for the welfare of the center.
In 2017, the Dubai Autism Center moved to its new headquarters located on an area of 90,000 square feet, covering a total built-up area of 166,000 square feet in Al Garhoud, thereby increasing its capacity from 54 children to 180 children who are received in facilities that have been fully equipped to suit their needs. It contains 34 classrooms, 22 motor therapy clinics, 18 speech and speech therapy clinics, 3 rooms specialized in sensory therapy, and a number of laboratories, facilities and medical clinics, all designed according to the latest specialized international standards, providing the appropriate educational environment for children with autism.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that begins early in childhood and lasts throughout a person's life. ASD can cause significant social, communication, and behavioral challenges. According to recent studies, one in 54 children is affected by ASD.
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Journal Reference:
Lisa D. Wiggins, Maureen Durkin, Amy Esler, Li‐Ching Lee, Walter Zahorodny, Catherine Rice, Marshalyn Yeargin‐Allsopp, Nicole F. Dowling, Jennifer Hall‐Lande, Michael J. Morrier, Deborah Christensen, Josephine Shenouda, Jon Baio. Disparities in Documented Diagnoses of Autism Spectrum Disorder Based on Demographic, Individual, and Service Factors. Autism Research, 2019; DOI: 10.1002/aur.2255
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/aur.2255
More about Dubai Autism Center:
The Dubai Autism Centre (DAC) is a non-profit organization that provides comprehensive and specialized services to children with Autism and their families. Founded in November 2001 with the issuance of a decree from the Ruler of Dubai, the DAC maintains international standards, providing intervention programs through a holistic approach for children with autism. The Centre also provides information, support, advice and training to professionals and parents of children with autism working towards facilitating a better understanding of autism in the UAE community.
With the provision of Specialist Services, outreach programs and promoting awareness, DAC is able to focus its attention and efforts on a clear vision – to be a center of excellence for those we serve.
The Centre focuses its efforts on providing various educational and therapeutic services to its students; where each student has an Individual Education Plans (IEP's) forming the basis of intervention required. Assessments by special educators and therapists together with parents are regularly reviewed and adjusted to meet the needs of each student.
DAC offers assessment and diagnosis as well as counseling services to as many families as possible offering guidance on relevant programs and necessary intervention programs for their child to achieve the best possible outcome. It also concentrates its efforts in spreading awareness on Autism, involving various sectors of the community in the autism cause.
Professional training at the DAC covers various topics and specialties to ensure that professionals in the field are up to date with the latest methods and developments.
DAC supports research and studies that explore facts related to autism in the United Arab Emirates to participate in the development of international autism information networks.
For More Information:
Yousef Ahmed Al Dhafer
Media & Government Relations Manager
Dubai Autism Center
Tel: +97143986862
© Press Release 2020
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