Our Staff

Our team is our strength

Vivian David-Nicolas

PsyD-Clinical Director & Founder

Dr. Vivian David-Nicolas has dedicated her professional career to special needs education and awareness. Having had a sister born with Down’s syndrome when Dr. David-Nicolas was 16 years of age, she is dedicated to the field of Special Education not only professionally but personally.

Dr. David-Nicolas received her doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute, in Berkeley, California in June 2001. Prior to this, she received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology in June 1998 from the same university, and her Bachelor’s degree in Communication, in June 1994, from University of California, San Diego.

Dr. David-Nicolas’s professional experience entails working with a variety of populations and age groups across different diagnostic classifications (e.g. psychiatry, counseling, education, etc). Most of her professional career has been devoted to working with the Autism population, whereby, Dr. David-Nicolas has provided Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services for individuals diagnosed within the autism spectrum for 20 years. In March 2001, she founded Stepping Stones Center for Autistic Spectrum Disorders, in the United States, and an international affiliate branch in Dubai in November 2006.

Dr. David-Nicolas has undergone over 10,000 hours of supervision throughout her clinical training and has been cited in various news and magazine articles noting her expertise in the field of Autism and contributing important information about best-practices in the field. Further to this, in 2007, she completed seven specialized graduate level courses in Behavior Analysis to work towards receiving certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Dr. Vivian David-Nicolas is a strong advocate for Special Education as she firmly believes that each individual deserves a quality life, regardless of race, religion or ability.

Veronica Micalizio, MA

Counselor and Program Director

Licensed as a Counselor (Couples & Family) in Dubai Healthcare City. License number: AH0730-12

Veronica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, California in 2005 and continued her studies to earn her Master’s in Counseling Psychology (emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy) in 2007. Since 2004, Veronica has been dedicating herself to working with children and adults with special needs, especially those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Veronica worked as a school counselor in San Francisco, California, providing individual and family counseling to elementary and middle school children, providing teacher training and dynamic group sessions through a developmental humanistic approach. Veronica has also worked with young adults with developmental delays, focusing on life skills, social and community interactions and personal relationships.

Veronica joined Stepping Stones (US) in 2008 as a Behavior Therapist and took on the position of Case Supervisor in 2010, supervising the programming and treatment services of children receiving intensive 1:1 Applied Behavior Analysis intervention, developing Individualized Education Plans and providing training in behavior management techniques to parents and schools. In February 2012, Veronica moved to Italy for 8 months where she assisted with the launching and directing of a start-up center for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Following this, Veronica relocated to Stepping Stones Center in Dubai, UAE as the Program Director overseeing all clinical departments and client treatment services.

Veronica’s overall performance and achievements made significant impacts upon the organization as a whole, and more importantly, clients/children it serves as it relates to clinical services she has provided. Further to being a registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern, Veronica has also completed graduate course work in Behavior Analysis to satisfy requirements to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam with the goal of being a Certified Behavior Analyst (the highest credential/achievement for one in the field of Behavior Analysis and Autism).

Aside from being a genuine humanitarian, Veronica has demonstrated impeccable performance that has reflected upon her professional achievements along with those that exist for Stepping Stones. Veronica possesses strong ethical commitment and collaboration in the work she has performed for Stepping Stones and its clients along with community contacts in general. She has built a vast network of professionals, families and educators in the field of Autism that has enabled her to continue to excel in this field and grow as a clinician so as to ensure quality service to all consumers served as well as work towards ensuring employee morale, amongst the clinicians she supervises, continues to stay at its optimal level.

Maha Jammal

Operations Manager

Maha Jammal is the Operations Manager at Stepping Stones and has been with the company for over 3 years; joining as Public Relation Officer in January 2011 and since holding a new title of Operations Manager. Maha holds a BA in Sociology, which she obtained from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, December 2008. Maha has also undertaken early education courses and psychology courses during her studies, given her interest in such subject matter.

Maha’s prior experience also consists of having worked as a Daycare Educator for almost 2 years, in Canada, while still completing her studies, and when she moved back to Lebanon, she was presented with different career opportunities that were relevant within the area of her studies. She came across management opportunities with Stepping Stones to which she then decided to further pursue in order to develop and enhance her administration and management skills and overall career development opportunities.

Maha has recently completed and obtained a certificate in ‘Leadership and Management Skills’ provided by The Institute of Sales and Marketing in January 2014. In addition, a few months later, she also attended a workshop of “Quality Improvement, Patient Safety & Risk Management” organized by Dubai Healthcare Planning and Quality.

Maha is and will always pursue her goals in life without limiting her horizons whether with further continuing her education or in progressing in her professional path.

On a personal level, Maha enjoys travelling, exploring new opportunities that come her way and values any humanitarian cause.

Hiba Bahsoun, MA

Director of Special Education & Inclusion

Hiba earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Special Education Diploma from the American University of Beirut. She then moved to New York City to continue her education, and earned her Masters of Arts degree from Columbia University, in Early Childhood Special Education. During her stay in New York City, she worked in different centers, nurseries, and schools, and gained experience working in different classroom settings (inclusive classroom, self-contained classroom, CTT classroom, and a regular educational classroom).

Hiba then moved to Dubai to pursue her career in special education, and joined Stepping Stones in 2011 as a Behavior Therapist, where she worked with students on the Autism Spectrum Disorder along with other disabilities. Hiba always wanted push and advocate for special needs in Lebanon, and hence decided to move to Lebanon, where she worked as an Educational Consultant and Branch Manager at a reputable center for students with special needs, and received training in the Lindamood Bell Programs (programs for corrective reading, writing, and spelling).

In 2013, Hiba moved back to Stepping Stones Dubai and has since been running its Inclusion Program, which is currently based at Greenwood International School. She is committed to the belief that each individual has a unique set of talents, abilities and interests that can be enriched and developed with the proper guidance, and each child has the right to an appropriate education within the least restrictive environment. Within this role, Hiba has been working with several schools across Dubai trying to facilitate the process of inclusion and has helped teachers integrate students with special needs in the classroom. In NYC, Dubai, and Lebanon, Hiba has participated in many seminars, advocating for special needs, and spreading awareness about this cause.

Anna Maria White

Director of Vocational & Transitioning Services

Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in Dubai Healthcare City. UAE License number: AH1183-15

Anna graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, having completed her thesis on the implementation of Vocational & Transitioning services. Having a family member born with Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus, Anna has had personal experience in the area of disability from a young age. This shaped Anna’s passion in areas of Independent Living & Vocational Research, hence, why she chose the profession of Occupational Therapy.

Following graduation, Anna worked as an Occupational Therapist in Ireland in a Center for Independent Living, designed for adults with physical and sensory disabilities. Here, Anna was involved in both the clinical work and management of the center and worked with clients of varying diagnosis such as those with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Spina Bifida, visually impaired, auditory impaired, intellectually disability and acquired brain injury.

Anna joined Stepping Stones in February 2015 as the Director of Vocational & Transitional Services for the A.S.P.I.R.E. Program, so as to further develop her passion in the areas of Vocational and Transitioning services in a multi-cultural environment. The A.S.P.I.R.E Program, is implemented through an Occupational Therapy approach – focusing on the development of life skills, social skills, self-determination and employment skills. Anna’s focus on program development has enabled her to attain center registration with an international recognized accreditation organization (ASDAN).

Anna is a self-motivated individual and is determined in advocating for the development of health care & education within the area of special needs. Anna enjoys meeting and building relationships with clients, work colleagues and people from all walks of life.

Samra Hussain, MS

Speech and Language Pathologist

Licensed as a Speech & Language Pathologist in Dubai Healthcare City. License number: AH1155-15

Samra earned her Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Sciences from Fatima Jinnah University, Pakistan in 2009 and continued her studies to earn her Master’s in Speech and Language Pathology from Riphah Institute of Health & Medical Sciences, Pakistan. She is a member of Pakistan Association of Speech Language Pathology. She has over 3 years of experience and expertise in assessing, evaluating and treating a variety of speech and language disorders within the school systems and clinical setups. She has worked with children with diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fluency Disorders, Down syndrome, Articulation, and Early Language Delays in English, Urdu and Hindi. Her experience has allowed her the opportunity to work with numerous disabilities leading to a broad knowledge base.

Samra is a Makaton certified speech and language pathologist and has attended various workshops such as Working on Children’s Language. Samra has great interest in research with regard to Speech and Language. Samra prepared and presented her research article on Efficacy of Parental Intervention in PCIT Approach in Pakistan at the First National Conference of Communication, Voice and Swallowing Disorders held in Pakistan.

Samra possesses excellent skills in developing and maintaining relationships with clients and their parents. She is very dedicated to her profession and cares deeply about her clients. She possesses the qualities needed to be an excellent speech and language pathologist such as being kind, patient and client-focused.

Vanessa Abou Sleiman

Licensed as a Speech & Language Pathologist Assistant in Dubai Healthcare City. License number: AH907-14

Vanessa graduated as a Speech and Language Therapist, with a thesis entitled “Tubal Rehabilitation Towards Better Practice” from the Lebanese University (LU) in Lebanon, Beirut in 2011.

She has assisted many seminars and workshops such as the “First Middle East Voice and Laryngology Symposium”. She has been working in the field for more than 3 years in special education treatment centers for Autism and learning difficulties, in hospitals and within her own private clinic. She provided services for various patients with different ages and pathologies (such as Speech or Language Delay, Articulatory Disorders, Stuttering, Aphasia, Hyperactivity, Autism, Learning Disabilities, Voice Disorders, Tubal Rehabilitation, Swallowing Disorders, Down Syndrome, Hearing Impairment and Cerebral Palsy) in Arabic, English and French.

Moreover, Vanessa is a member of the Lebanese Speech and Language Therapists Association (ALO).

Vanessa is familiar with the “Méthode Gestuelle Borel Maisonny” and the “Verbotonal Approach.” She also insists on investing her artistic skills (drawing, theater, and singing) as a therapeutic method.

Vanessa has a special interest in Autism Spectrum Disorder and she happily joined Stepping Stones in March 2014.

Shareen Koleth, MS

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MS SpeechPath, CPSP

Licensed as a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant in Dubai Healthcare City License number: AH1124-15

Shareen received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Counselling from Middlesex University, Dubai in 2011. She worked as a Behavior Therapist in an Autism Center for about two years before pursuing a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Pathology from Curtin University, Australia. She has published a paper entitled Influence of Psychiatric Labelling on Social Distancing, in the Gulf Medical Journal. Shareen also had a paper entitled Thematic Analysis of Student Clinical Learning in Virtual Learning Environments that was presented in 2015 at the Speech Pathology Australia Conference, in Canberra.

Her professional experiences include working with the pediatric population, specifically with language delay, articulation disorders, stuttering and clients on the Autism Spectrum. She also has experience in working with adults with voice disorders, dysphagia, aphasia and acquired stuttering. She has worked with several multi-disciplinary teams which included Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Teachers, Pharmacists, Doctors and Nurses. She has worked in a variety of settings such as mainstream schools, centers and assisted living homes. Shareen is certified to administer the LSVT LOUD TM treatment program to adults with voice disorders.

Shareen is licensed through Dubai Healthcare City. She is also a registered member of Speech Pathology, in Australia, as a practicing Speech and Language Pathologist.

KISHAN RAMTOHUL

Senior Occupational Therapist

Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in Dubai Healthcare City. UAE License number: AH1071-15

Kishan graduated from the University of Mauritius with a Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in Occupational Therapy. His clinical background involves working with the pediatric population whereby he served as an Occupational Therapist in both clinical and community settings while working with a vast range of needs and conditions predominantly being: Cerebral Palsy, Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder, in Mauritius. Kishan also participated in various voluntary events and as resource person for such events in Mauritius such as Rehabilitation of Lower Limb Amputees by Jaipur Foot, Family Health Forum organized by the Special Olympics in Mauritius and a workshop on Applied Paper Technology organized by the Ministry of Education in Mauritius. Moreover, he has been coordinating the organization of the World Occupational Therapy Day for the past 3 years (2010 – 2012) at both the University of Mauritius and at national level. Kishan has attended various CPDs including Sensory Integration (e.g. having taken courses in Sensory Integration Techniques for Healthcare Professionals). He also has experience working within a Conductive Education Model of Therapy & Education as well as training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). Additionally, Kishan is BLS (Basic Life Support) certified.

Being internationally connected, Kishan is affiliated with various Occupational Therapy bodies which include the Occupational Therapists’ Association (Mauritius), the Association Nationale Francaise des Ergotherapeutes (ANFE) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). He is also one of the founding members of the African Occupational Therapy Students’ Association (in Africa) and was actively involved in the ‘Student Exchange Program’ between the African Region and Mauritius (from 2012 – 2014). Moreover, he is qualified as an Award Leader for the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (Mauritius). Kishan’s research and practice interests include Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Learning Disorders and ADD/ADHD. He joined Stepping Stones to pursue a career in the pediatric field and is currently employed as a Senior Occupational Therapist.

SYLVIE DE SWARDT

Occupational Therapist

Licensed as an Occupational Therapist in Dubai Healthcare City. UAE License number: AH1113-15

Sylvie graduated from The University of Queensland with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Her passion for the profession developed during early academic pursuits in the scientific field, teamed with a creative interest of healthcare. Over the years, she has gained extensive exposure in a range of acute, community and macro health climates.

Sylvie has a special interest in the area of pediatrics, autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and learning development which was inspired during her time working with the Queensland Centre for Intellectual and Developmental Disability. During this period, Sylvie worked actively on bridging the understanding of neurodiversity to enhance social opportunities for those diagnosed with ASD. She joined Stepping Stones in March 2015 to refine her practice in a specialized clinical setting after pursuing developments in healthcare in an international stage. Since joining the team, Sylvie has been responsible in conducting occupational therapy as well as supporting Stepping Stones’ Hungry Caterpillars program.

Sylvie has a vested interest in health & wellbeing and the influence of physical, neurological, nutritional and psychological factors to an individual. The importance of activity for young minds prompted her to obtain a certificate III and IV in fitness. Furthermore, interest in the area of nutrition supports her efforts in the management of the Hungry Caterpillars Program at Stepping Stones, which focuses on supporting sensory-based food aversions and picky eating.

Sylvie is a registered practitioner with APRAH (Australian Health Practitioner Registration Board) and an active member of Occupational Therapy in Australia. Sylvie is an avid volunteer and advocate for equal rights and believes in the magic of community contribution. Since arriving in the UAE, she has had the privilege to involve herself with many great projects including Bambeu’s Ramadan Shoebox Campaign, the Sameness Project and Red Bull’s Wing’s for Life campaign. She supports and has active interest in the United Global Health and enjoys leisure activities such as running, kayaking and hiking.