DUBAI// Narayan's parents did not know their son had autism until he enrolled at Happy Home Nursery in Sharjah. Staff noticed symptoms and recommended seeking a professional diagnosis.
"We were not aware that he had a problem," said Narayan's mother, 30, from India. "But later on we got good support from the nursery."
Recognising conditions early is one of the many benefits of including special-needs children in nurseries, experts say.
"They show superior growth in social skills and language skills compared with placement in a segregated classroom," said Jill England, an adviser for the Zayed Higher Organisation for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs in Abu Dhabi (ZHO).
Narayan improved noticeably at nursery. "He started picking up day-to-day things, and letters and numbers," his mother said. Now 5, he is doing well in mainstream school.
Inclusion also benefits other children by fostering tolerance, Ms England said. "It's the most powerful way of helping people without disabilities begin to value people that do have disabilities," she said. "You have to be together, learn together, to accept each other."
There are challenges, said Nadia Bhayat, a speech and language pathologist for ZHO: "It can be daunting because you need the support."
Teachers should be trained to modify activities in appropriate ways. Sometimes special equipment or materials are needed. Inspire Children's Nursery in Dubai has ramps and a lift for children with physical disabilities.
The Ministry of Social Affairs allows nurseries with qualified special-needs teachers to charge higher fees.
If a shadow teacher is needed for one-on-one support, parents often bear the cost.
"The government and the schools should be paying for it," Ms England said.
Asma Maladwala, director of Inspire, said her biggest challenge was finding qualified support professionals, such as speech and occupational therapists.
Ms England suggested the Ministry of Education create a team of therapists who could visit nurseries regularly to provide assistance.
Despite the challenges, Ms Maladwala urged other nurseries to consider inclusion: "I really don't think it's hard, at this age," she said. "Every child is different anyway."
