HATTA // Young children are the first to be screened for delays in speech, motor skill development, communication and learning as part of an early intervention programme that will be set up across Dubai.
On Sunday, a van pulled up outside the Al Basateen kindergarten in Hatta with therapists who observed through activities and questions how children up to the age of six years could cut paper, trace drawings, identify colours and basic shapes.
“The check is to see where the child fits in the [developmental] spectrum, then we focus on educating the parents and if there is a possibility of a disability then we put an intervention programme together,” said Khaled Al Kamda, director general of the Community Development Authority.
Early screening was also intended to detect social and behavioural impairments.
Inside the brightly-painted, spacious van filled with shape blocks, puzzles, books and toys, therapists checked communication skills of children and observed their reflexes.
The health teams also reassured those parents who worried about their child’s enunciation and clarity of speech and gave advice on using visual stimulation to aid learning.
The screening this week will cover the Khadija Bint Khuwailed School, Hatta School for Boys, and screen babies taken to Hatta Hospital for vaccination.
Meetings with parents will address concerns about why children were being screened.
“We will be talking to parents about what to do if there is a disability and not to be ashamed, not to hide it,” Mr Kamda said.
“The problem is, most people shy away from this. We will also answer queries of parents who want to know why their child is being tested. The idea is that parents understand where and how to seek help. We are saying to parents: don’t wait, come over and let us check your children.”
Shaima Mekawy, the mother of Ahmed Mustafa, 5, also planned to take her three-year-old child for the tests.
“This is the first time my son is being checked,” she said on learning that Ahmed’s development was normal.
“If there is a problem we can know what is possible. There is a difficulty that some children have with speech and this can help.”
The project is run in cooperation with the Dubai Health Authority and the Sheikha Maitha bin Rashid Centre for Children with Special Needs.
The CDA will schedule other visits later this week.
“A positive test can cause confusion and frustration. We are here to give families ease and comfort,” said Sheikha Alia Al Qassimi, acting chief executive of CDA’s social care and development sector.
“We want to spread awareness that disability is no one’s fault.”
The campaign will also encourage the disabled to register for the Sanad card to take advantage of discounts in government services. This would help determine the number and nature of disabilities in the emirate.
rtalwar@thenational.ae
What is graphene?
Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.
It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.
It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.
It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.
Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.
The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Why it pays to compare
A comparison of sending Dh20,000 from the UAE using two different routes at the same time - the first direct from a UAE bank to a bank in Germany, and the second from the same UAE bank via an online platform to Germany - found key differences in cost and speed. The transfers were both initiated on January 30.
Route 1: bank transfer
The UAE bank charged Dh152.25 for the Dh20,000 transfer. On top of that, their exchange rate margin added a difference of around Dh415, compared with the mid-market rate.
Total cost: Dh567.25 - around 2.9 per cent of the total amount
Total received: €4,670.30
Route 2: online platform
The UAE bank’s charge for sending Dh20,000 to a UK dirham-denominated account was Dh2.10. The exchange rate margin cost was Dh60, plus a Dh12 fee.
Total cost: Dh74.10, around 0.4 per cent of the transaction
Total received: €4,756
The UAE bank transfer was far quicker – around two to three working days, while the online platform took around four to five days, but was considerably cheaper. In the online platform transfer, the funds were also exposed to currency risk during the period it took for them to arrive.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
Company%20profile
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
Company%20Profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: N2 Technology
Founded: 2018
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Startups
Size: 14
Funding: $1.7m from HNIs