Programs

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Inclusion Program

At Stepping Stones, we strongly believe that every child has the right to an appropriate education. We believe in IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Act, which mandates a free and appropriate education for all children ages 3-21, with such educational services to be provided within the “least restrictive environment”, and for children with disabilities to be included with typically developing peers. For this reason, we developed our successful inclusion program.

In order to help include and integrate students with special needs in the educational sector, and to follow through with legislation and laws/regulations that are mandated by KHDA (in the UAE) and in the USA to provide students with special needs with the appropriate education, Stepping Stones began its inclusion program in 2010 incorporating such regulations and policies. Stepping Stones has since been considered one of the pioneers of the inclusion project in Dubai.

Since 2013, Stepping Stones has collaborated with Greenwood International School, where our inclusion program is currently housed. The goal of our program is to prepare our students for mainstream classrooms by working on their academic and developmental skills. In our program, we address students’ behaviors, academic skills, social skills, communication and language skills and sensory integration.

At Greenwood International School, we currently have one junior classroom that caters for students between the ages 4-7 years old. Based on age and skill level, the students are registered through the school in KG1 or KG2, and receive and end of year certification from the school, upon the completion of the grade level. The program is designed and staffed to address challenging behavioral issues, increase academic and developmental skill levels and promote improved social interaction. The class has a 2:1 ratio (two kids per staff member) with a class maximum of 12 students so that children with special needs get the special and individualized attention they deserve.

In order to ensure that our students are receiving all the skills needed and are following the same educational steps and objectives as that of the school, as per the assigned grade level, we follow the same curriculum as the one followed within the mainstream school (e.g. Greenwood International School) yet, at the same time, in order to target all developmental and educational areas and deficits, we have incorporated several evidence-based programs/curricula within our lesson plans.

A.S.P.I.R.E Vocational & Transitioning Program

The A.S.P.I.R.E Vocational & Transitioning Program is a one of its kind, transitioning service for teenagers and young adults with disabilities, currently housed in the Stepping Stones office in Dubai Healthcare City. The curriculum is centered around providing life skills to individuals with disabilities, keeping in mind their individual needs, abilities and interests.

In our service, A.S.P.I.R.E. stands for Achieving Strengths, Potential, Independence and Readiness for Employment. Simply put, our program provides best the possible foundation for an independent, hopeful and positive future for students with disabilities. This is achieved by providing young adults and their families with the skills, knowledge and experience to achieve the highest possible quality of life available to them, a life where they are safe, independent and integrated into their community.

Range of services provided include either the full-time program or 1:1 afternoon sessions designed to cater to individual clients. The curriculum is designed to cover a wide range of skills required for everyday living, including those related to self-care, functional academics, school readiness, employment and community participation. Instructional teaching employs the use of the Life Centered Education Curriculum (LCE) as a foundation, which provides a detailed framework of measurable, achievable goals that can be tailored to meet the unique goals of each student.

In addition to classroom education, a major part of learning occurs outside in the community – which enables students to exert their independence and generalize the concepts taught in class. Furthermore, every effort is made to carry over this learning to the home environment, with the help of continuous support & training to parents/caregivers. Such efforts result in the all-round growth and development of our clients.

We have recently opened doors for applications to our A.S.P.I.R.E. Teen Transition Summer Program, and for the full-time Program starting September 2015.

Kindly contact:Anna White – Director of Vocational & Transitioning Services(awhite@steppingstonesca.com)orForam Shah – Customer Relations Officer(sfpratik@steppingstonesca.com) to schedule a consult or for more details.

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