Dubai: For the first time, teenagers enrolled at the Dubai Autism Centre have been offered the opportunity to undergo vocational training that enables them to be more independent and self-reliant.
"[Therapy is] limited to teenagers, so beyond the age of 16, individuals should not be having therapy but should instead be focused on their vocational training," said Sara Ahmad Baqer, community service unit head at the Dubai Autism Centre.
The main reason for therapy is not only to benefit the child but also the parents and family members so that they can be educated and know how to deal with the child.
"At the moment we're having a trial period at the centre since a vocational trainer from [another company] will cost too much, which we can't afford to bring. We have adopted our own methods of pre-vocational training, which we practice with those in the ages of 15 to 18."
Additional bonus
Sara further explained that having their own in-house trainers is an additional bonus since the teachers are familiar with their own students, and are able to easily identify their talent and turn it into a skill that can then be applied to a job. Once the autistic individuals have a firm grip on their vocational skills, the community service department at the centre is responsible for contacting hotels and companies to find them jobs.
"There are many factors that we have to take into consideration, such as if they have any vacancies and if they can offer a part-time job. When we know what the needs of the company are, we'll then see which child at the centre is most suitable for the job," she said.
Vocational training is not the only change that has been done at the centre this year, as the age limit has also been modified from two to 18 years instead of four to 21 years.
"We have over 200 children on the waiting list and it's increasing, even though I tell the parents that there's no chance that their child will get a place soon, and that they might have to wait three to five years," Sara said.
She added that the centre only takes moderate to severe cases of autism.
