The Association started as a small group in 2005, under the name “UAE Down Syndrome Support Group” and obtained the official Accreditation under the Ministerial Decree No. (405) on 2006 by Ministry of Community development; the official name of the association became “Emirates Down Syndrome Association”. It is a Humanitarian Public Benefit Association that provides services to people of all ages and nationalities with Down syndrome.

Our Vision: Improved quality of life for people with Down syndrome

Our Mission: Inclusion and empowerment of people with Down syndrome through achieving their full potential and maximizing their skills to participate effectively and productively in society.

Our Slogan: Unlocking Hidden Potentials

What is Down syndrome?

Down syndrome is a genetic condition. It is not an illness or a disease. Down syndrome occurs when an individual has a full or partial extra copy of chromosome 21. People with Down syndrome commonly have 47 chromosomes in their cells instead of 46.

Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition being universally present across racial, gender or socioeconomic lines in approximately 1 in 800 live births, although there is considerable variation worldwide.

Down syndrome usually causes varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability and associated medical issues.

Services Of Development Centre For People With Down syndrome

• Early Intervention Classes
• Family Counselling
• Special Education & Behaviour Modification
• Allied Services (physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy)

A Qualified & experienced team provide the following services

Comprehensive assessment for each beneficiary to determine their skills in all developmental domains: (cognitive, gross and fine motor skills, communication and language, social and self-care)

Appropriate Educational Individual Plan (EIP) for each beneficiary in cooperation with the family

Training for families by providing psychological support and family counselling

Training courses for the families

Training and empowering professional, teachers and care givers to deal with people with Down syndrome

Early intervention plays an important part in the development of children with Down syndrome. Early intervention can begin from the first few weeks after birth.

People with Down syndrome have equal rights in education, health and employment and the right-based approach allows them to fully function and become productive, included members of society, ensured by the Federal Law number 29 for the year 2006 in the Rights of Persons with Disability (People of Determination) and the national policies and relevant international conventions.