Parenting a child with special needs is a special task for parents,
essentially a challenging one!! The unusual level of energy, fortitude
and emotional balance that one has to maintain when raising a special
child is tough task, often accompanied by medical appointments,
therapies and special education. As much as the child struggles to learn
something new, the parents have to put in that extra effort to
hand-hold their child to make them successful.
There are many help centres set up by affected parents nowadays to assist other parents in a relatively smooth upbringing for their special children. For instance, Carolina Tovar, an American expatriate living in Dubai quit her career as a lawyer to set up the Child Early Intervention Medical Centre (CEIMC) at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), after her son Rafael was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. The medical centre offers guidance and help to distressed families, having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Apart from the basic challenges that parents have to face in making their children learn to read, write and behave properly, a major concern that all of them have is regarding the future family life and whether the child would be able to live independently as they grow older.
However, Arif Khan, a Pakistani expatriate in Dubai, feels fortunate in this case. His youngest son Rafay, now 24 years old, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome as an infant. Still enrolled with the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs for learning basic arithmetic and vocational activities, Rafay now also has a job to go to. He is doing an internship in the laundry section of the Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha where he works three times a week.
The most amazing part is that he is mostly independent now and has learnt how to operate gadgets like computer, cell phone and television. The family is very happy at this achievement as they see a tremendously improved and excited Rafay going to work every morning.
There are many help centres set up by affected parents nowadays to assist other parents in a relatively smooth upbringing for their special children. For instance, Carolina Tovar, an American expatriate living in Dubai quit her career as a lawyer to set up the Child Early Intervention Medical Centre (CEIMC) at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), after her son Rafael was diagnosed with autism as a toddler. The medical centre offers guidance and help to distressed families, having an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Apart from the basic challenges that parents have to face in making their children learn to read, write and behave properly, a major concern that all of them have is regarding the future family life and whether the child would be able to live independently as they grow older.
However, Arif Khan, a Pakistani expatriate in Dubai, feels fortunate in this case. His youngest son Rafay, now 24 years old, was diagnosed with Down Syndrome as an infant. Still enrolled with the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs for learning basic arithmetic and vocational activities, Rafay now also has a job to go to. He is doing an internship in the laundry section of the Holiday Inn Dubai – Al Barsha where he works three times a week.
The most amazing part is that he is mostly independent now and has learnt how to operate gadgets like computer, cell phone and television. The family is very happy at this achievement as they see a tremendously improved and excited Rafay going to work every morning.
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