Louise Dawson was invited to speak at the recent Parent Support and neurodiverse awareness event hosted by Just The Mums, UAE, a vital, non-judgemental platform for mothers across the region. The event, focused on navigating neurodivergence and the Dubai educational system, brought together parents, experts, and advocates to ensure every mother knows she is not alone and has access to support.
The core message of the afternoon was simple: prioritise your child’s needs for them to thrive, know that you are part of a community, and be aware of all the excellent options for external support.
A Unique Perspective: Parent, SENCo, and Advocate
I was invited to share my personal and professional experience in the UAE. As an educational specialist, I have a decade of experience in the Middle East as a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo), giving me significant insight and knowledge into how the educational system works.
Crucially, I am also a parent. Having raised three adult children, all of whom have varying levels of Special Educational Needs (SEN), I understand the challenges, the emotional journey, and the persistent fight to ensure your child receives the appropriate support. This dual perspective—as a parent who has been through the struggles and a qualified professional—allows me to truly empathise and offer qualified advice to parents experiencing similar issues in schools.
Events like this are essential as they allow parents to see where extra support can be found, whether through my centre, which provides a wealth of resources and connections, or by signposting to trusted partners and other avenues.
Additional Support Insight: Support from ATIC Psychological & Counselling Centre
The event featured two outstanding co-speakers from ATIC Psychological & Counselling Centre, who offered significant insight into external therapeutic support and opportunities available for neurodivergent children.
The speakers from ATIC were:
Chloe Smith, MSc., HCPC, DHA – a highly experienced Speech and Language Therapist.
Melandri van Jaarsveld, BSc(Hons), HCPC, DHA – the Early Years Occupational Therapy Lead.
ATIC is a wonderful centre, offering a wide range of therapy and psychological support including art psychology, clinical psychology, child and adolescent psychology, and occupational therapy. Chloe and Melandri gave up their time to share very insightful knowledge into their respective fields, demonstrating how these types of external resources are essential for understanding your child and ensuring their success.
You Are Not Alone: The Power of Community
Perhaps the most significant part of the afternoon was the question and answer section, which created a safe space for parents to share their experiences and ask vital questions specific to their child. It’s in these moments that the isolation many parents feel begins to melt away, and they learn that it’s truly okay to be different.
For example, a large chunk of time was spent discussing a child who is adverse to sunscreen. Together, myself, Chloe, and Melandri offered different explanations and tools. This aversion could stem from various issues—sensory overload, communication barriers, or behavioural responses. The number one step to resolving any challenge, whether it’s sensory, communicative, or behavioural, is getting to the bottom of the what, why, and how. Each child is different and needs a personalised approach to thrive and flourish.
This event was a powerful reminder that parents are not alone. Our goal is to foster an environment where this is known, and we can work together to ensure all our children can succeed. It was a lovely opportunity to connect with parents and fellow psychologists alike, and I was proud to represent the importance of fighting for your child and knowing that resources are available for them in the UAE.
Joining the Just The Mums Community
If you are a mother in the UAE, consider joining Just The Mums, UAE. This dedicated platform is built to be your “best mum friend”—a safe, happy, and supportive space where women of all backgrounds can come together to chat, ask advice, learn, and share experiences. The group is carefully vetted by the admin team to ensure it remains a safe and supportive community. While this specific event focused on Autism Awareness and neurodiversity, the group covers a vast range of topics relevant to mums in the region.
For more information about ATIC Psychological & Counselling Centre, visit their website:
For more Parent Support options, visit the “For Parents” section on our website: