Pamela Bell

Hello.
My husband is already located in Abu Dhabi and I am due to join him shortly with our 2 children. My son Lewis, aged 9 is diagnosed Asperger's Syndrome, is high functioning, well ahead of his peers in mathematics, computing, reading, but struggles with unstructured activities such as breaks, drama. He attends mainstream school with a few simple adjustments, eg. staying in to use computers during breaks.
Obviously my worry is whether a school in Abu Dhabi will accept him, especially when it is fee paying and he is liable to disrupt classes. I am currently employed as a classroom assistant/learning support assistant and would be willing to attend school with Lewis while he settles in.
I would be grateful for any advice or information on the subject and to meet other Mum's in a similar situation.
It may be that home teaching is the best solution and I would like to hear from anyone who has/is doing that.
Pamela Bell

Cherrypie

Hi Pamela

Unfortunately, I do not know a great deal about schooling in Abu Dhabi, as I have only ever lived in Dubai. However, I would assume that the prevailing culture is very similar and I found most schools in Dubai very test and grades oriented, with a dismal lack of provision for children with learning support needs. Obviously, you need to ring the schools and find out which ones may be sympathetic to your son's requirements and until you have visited them and cast 'a mother's eye' over them, it will be difficult to make any decision.

These are the details of a highly respected UK qualified educational psychologist in Dubai: Ruba Tabari at the Dubai Community Health Centre in Jumeirah Tel: + 04 3953 939. If you contact her she may be able to recommend someone in Abu Dhabi, who can give you more information or at least advise you on your son's schooling.

Also, post at www.expatwoman.com. There are many Abu Dhabi mums on this site who would have better knowledge of schools over there.

Good Luck.

Desert Dweller

There is also the British Schools in the Middle East association, though I'm afraid I don't know their contact details. You could maybe try a Yahoo! or Google search.

Heart of gold

You wont go far wrong with Cherrypie's advice , I used the Dubai Community Center when my eldest was diagnosed with ADHD, but as a mum ( and this is not meant to deter you in any way) I wanted a second opinion and was referred to the The lab school which deals with all children that are talented adn those that are less fortunate and in my case we were told my daughter has Sensory Dysfunction Disorder which I feel is easier to cope with.

Good luck