On June 27, 2007, NECC Executive Director, Vincent Strully, Jr., signed a long term agreement with the Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) to establish a comprehensive education program for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

Six months later, the first classroom opened for a group of 6 preschool age children. Designed to replicate the comprehensive range of educational services and graduate education available in out U.S. center, NECC-AD uses the proven principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to teach children in Abu Dhabi the skills that will lead to greater independence. NECC-AD is projected to grow to serve 48 children in additional preschool and elementary age classrooms, as well as providing residential services.

NECC-AD provides 1:1 instruction for all students for 30 hours per week, in both Arabic and English. Utilizing the Autism Curriculum Encyclopedia (ACE), instruction focuses on the areas of communication, pre-academic, social, play, and self-help skills. Islam Instruction is also provided, as appropriate to the age and skill level of each child. Training is provided regularly to parents in order to generalize skills from the school to the home setting.

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