Deciding and choosing through the healthcare and therapy services available within UAE remains a concern to most parents with children with special needs. This much makes it important to make sure that your child is receiving all the support, therapy and medical attention that they require. 

Let’s discuss the ways to search for government subsidised therapy services.

Finding Government-Supported Therapy Services

The government of UAE has ensured that healthcare and therapy service to the people with special needs are well availed to them. Several initiatives and centres are available to support families.

Ministry of Community Development (MOCD)

MOCD serves the disabled people and provides them with different services and support including the therapy services. The Ministry operates a number of centres in the UAE that offer early childhood intervention, physiotherapy and splinting service. These services can be obtained by parents by enlisting their child with a disability through the official MOCD sites.

Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination (ZHO)

The Zayed Higher Organization for Special Needs in Abu Dhabi has following facilities for aspiring talents with special needs namely therapy and rehabilitation. The organisation owns several centres that offer OT, Speech and Language Therapy, Physiotherapy and Counseling services. Such services are generally affordable or sometimes provided to the UAE nationals free of charge.

Dubai Health Authority (DHA)

The Dubai Health Authority has multiple offered healthcare services pertaining to Children with special needs through its network of hospitals and specific centres. For instance, the Dubai Early Childhood Development Centre is an organisation with a system for initial evaluation and treatment of early childhood development disorders thanks to the participation of specialists from different fields.

Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS)

Another important organisation which offers extensive services for people with disabilities is Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services. SCHS enrols all degrees of therapy for instance speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy ,educational services and job training.

Public Hospitals and Clinics

Most of the special needs children are catered for in the UAE through the public hospitals and clinics that provide therapy services. Such services may include speech therapy services, physiotherapy services, occupational therapy services among others. Before seeking therapy services from within the public healthcare system it is useful to consult your child’s paediatrician regarding the necessary referrals.

Accessing Healthcare Resources for Special Needs

Beyond government-supported services, there are numerous healthcare resources available in the UAE to support children with special needs.

Specialized Pediatric Clinics

The UAE has many clinics that are specialised to provide treatment to children with disabilities in the country. These clinics provide developmental and therapeutic and medical facilities for children with special needs. There are some famous hospitals too for the children like Al Jalila Children’s Specialty Hospital which provides facilities for the children with special needs.

Early Intervention Programs

It is important to mention that children with developmental delays or disability have to receive intervention as soon as possible. These include early intervention programs in the UAE which focus on helping children of a young age get the right support they need in their development. Generally such programs consist of therapy services, educational support and counselling of the family.

Support Groups and Organizations

It is easy to join support groups and respective organisations in UAE since there are so many that cater for families of children with special needs. Many of these groups provide information as well as workshops and meetings which can assist families in dealing with the medical model and other families.

Online Resources and Teletherapy

As for recent years, teletherapy is possible and can be used by many families in the UAE due to the development of technologies. Most health care facilities today offer online therapy sessions so the children do not need to visit any health facility to get the help they require. It also makes available resources, guides and tools for the parent to assist the child in his/her development.

Understanding Insurance Coverage for SEN Services

Navigating insurance coverage for special educational needs (SEN) services can be complex, but understanding your options is essential for ensuring your child receives the care they need.

Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage

Health insurance is compulsory in the UAE and the majority of the insurance solutions include basic healthcare services. However, benefits for the actual services that constitute SEN like therapy, counselling and special medical attention depends on the insurance company and the health plan in question.

Reviewing Insurance Policies

However, it’s important to take your time to read through the policy so that you aren’t surprised by what is not being covered. As part of your search for the best care plan look for those that come with features such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and any other psychological services. In case your current policy does not cater for these services, you should switch to a better policy.

Seeking Pre-Authorization

Some insured SEN services must be pre-authorized by many insurance companies till the time of this writing. This means you will need to pay in advance for the therapist’s services with the intention of being reimbursed by the insurer later on condition that you avail yourself for evaluation before, during or after the therapy or treatment. But not to worry as you coordinate with your healthcare provider in order to fill the required documents and make sure the services your child requires are authorised and reimbursed.

Navigating Exclusions and Limitations

Have knowledge of any conditions that may exist in your insurance policy that concern SEN services. Employer provided insurance may only allow some specific numbers of therapy sessions in a year or may not provide treatment for specific therapies. It is necessary to grasp such disadvantages since they refer to personal spending that was not planned for.

Employer-Sponsored Insurance Plans

If you have insurance through your employer, you can talk to the persons in the Human Resources department to inquire about possible solutions in relation to your child’s situation. Employer sponsored insurance that can also tackle the SEN services cost can also be provided by some employers depending on a given employer’s insurance policies or even the flexible spending accounts.

It is important that your child with special needs gets the right health care and therapy services that he or she requires. It is also important to specify that several independent service organisations operate with the assistance of government support and help families receive the necessary support. Moreover, many clinics and specialised facilities can be found in the UAE; insurance coverage is also a possible way to deal with the issue. With knowledge of the services, understanding of insurance and fighting for your child needs, you will be able assist your child.