A Dubai-based mother, whose autistic son faced rejection from 22 schools, is now running a special needs centre aimed at ensuring no other child experiences the same hardships. Rana Akkad, a Syrian expat who has lived in Dubai for 22 years, shared her emotional journey with Gulf News, recounting her battle to find an appropriate school for her son, Jad.
Rana’s troubles began when Jad, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age, faced challenges interacting with peers. At 18 months, he stopped speaking words like “mama” and “hello” that he had previously said. Despite these early signs, it wasn’t until later that he was diagnosed with autism. As she navigated this difficult journey, Rana sought out schools in Dubai, only to face repeated rejection, with 22 schools turning her away.
The few places that did accept Jad proved inadequate. One special needs centre, where Jad was enrolled, contained children with far more severe disabilities. His regression in physical development prompted Rana to take action. “I tried everything—cheap, expensive, and everything in between,” she said, speaking candidly about the frustration she faced.
After much struggle, Rana eventually got Jad into a school, but the situation did not improve. Initially, Jad had a shadow teacher, and other students included him, believing he simply did not speak English. But over time, this inclusion faded, and Rana witnessed her son’s isolation. One heartbreaking moment occurred when Jad watched as his classmates left to visit a friend’s house, leaving him behind. “The sadness in my son’s eyes simply killed me,” she recalled.
This was the turning point for Rana, who realized she had been fighting to place Jad in a mainstream school not for his benefit, but to fulfill her own desire for him to “belong.” She knew that her focus needed to shift, and instead of continuing to push for something that was not right for Jad, she decided to create a place where he—and other children like him—could thrive.
After four years of planning, Rana opened a special needs centre, Modern Alternative Education, in October 2016. The centre began with just 11 students, including Jad, and it was there that she witnessed a transformation in her son. “By the time I opened the school, Jad was borderline depressed. But in this new setup, you could see the joy and glow coming back to his eyes,” she said, smiling at the memory.
Tragically, Jad passed away at the age of 11 due to sudden death, unrelated to his autism. Despite the heartache, Rana’s resolve to continue her work only strengthened. She renamed the centre to “Jad’s Inclusion” in honour of her son on what would have been his 12th birthday in January 2019, planting an olive tree in his memory.
Jad’s Inclusion has since provided a safe space for children who don’t fit into traditional educational models but also don’t have severe enough needs to be placed in a special needs institution. The centre operates from September to July, focusing on both academics and life skills. Rana emphasized that the aim is to integrate children into mainstream schools or workplaces after completing their programs. “What makes us special is our small classroom sizes and the personalized attention we provide,” she said.
Jad’s Inclusion offers a free assessment to parents, helping them understand the best educational path for their children. The centre currently accommodates 25 students with 20 staff members, ensuring a high teacher-to-student ratio.
