DUBAI // Honest Ncube runs his eyes down a giant drawing board listing his pupils’ activities for the day and methodically ensures nothing is out of place.
As a teacher of children with autism, a disorder characterised by a dependence on routine, the Zimbabwean has to ensure his pupils’ day at Dubai Autism Centre is strictly regimented.
“We have to make sure everything is structured,” says Mr Ncube, 42.
He says that if a pupil senses a change in routine, it can lead to panic and even aggression.
On a typical day, Mr Ncube arrives at the centre in Al Hudaiba shortly before 7.30am, ready for his pupils who are aged between 14 and 17.
Each day runs like clockwork. Discussion time is followed by skills learning, which includes making coffee, setting the table, and caring for plants.
Then there is self-help, which involves activities such as practising brushing their teeth, washing dishes and making a bed.
A change from routine, such as a trip to the mall or the cinema, means days of preparing the teenagers for a disruption to their routine.
The centre focuses on vocational skills rather than educational lessons, trying to equip the pupils with basic, everyday skills most people take for granted, such as tying shoelaces, pouring a cup of coffee or buttoning a shirt.
“Just knowing how to groom yourself, such as brushing your teeth and washing your hands, is so important,” says Mr Ncube.
His pupils all have some form of autism, a spectrum of development disabilities that affect the way a person communicates and relates to the people around them.
While Mr Ncube teaches a class of only four pupils, it can be as challenging as teaching one 10 times that size.
The pupils demand his constant attention. One pupil grabbed a teacher around the throat when Mr Ncube took his eye off him for a minute.
Mostly, he says, the children demand attention. The job is testing but the reward comes when small goals are achieved.
On a recent visit to the classroom, the four pupils had just finished their snack time.
One neatly packs his snack boxes into his rucksack, while another brushes his teeth. The two others help to clear the table.
These may seem like simple chores but to these children these tasks give them some independence at home.
Afterwards they take part in an exercise folding hand towels and napkins to test hand-eye coordination. Once they complete the task, Mr Ncube rewards each with a big smile and a high five.
It is important, he says, to dole out praise as it feeds self-esteem and builds trust.
The best part of Mr Ncube’s job is seeing a child flourish under his care.
“When you find a child who came into the centre being so aggressive, not being able to hold a pen properly and not being able to socially interact at all, then slowly but surely the child changes and the behaviour diminishes, we do get that ‘wow’ feeling, thinking ‘I have done something to help this child’.”
For Mr Ncube to keep helping autistic children, the non-profit Dubai Autism Centre needs funds, especially for staff training and buying equipment.
The centre also needs local businesses to play a more pivotal role by providing jobs for autistic children.
Many children at the centre have skills that could be of use, says Mr Ncube. Some excel in computing and would suit an office-based job.
Others could help out in restaurants, setting tables and washing dishes.
“We want some businesses to take these children and give them some simple jobs so they live a meaningful life,” says Mr Ncube. “Let him go out to work and earn a salary.”
Lack of understanding about autism is also a continuing challenge. Excursions with pupils can still draw stares when a child acts up, he says.
“Awareness is slowly but surely taking place but unfortunately, stigma still exists.
“We need to make the public aware of what autism is all about and to accept it.”
jbell@thenational.ae
