What age does SNF Development Center accept?

Young people aged 14 and above with a disability listed on the People of Determination (PoD) card. There is no upper age limit. It does not take younger children.

How much does SNF cost?

SNF doesn't publish its fees. Its fee policy says the day programme may be charged monthly, private afternoon sessions per session or per hour, and fees are paid in advance each term. Ask the centre for the current fee schedule.

Fill in the enquiry form on the Admission page or call +971 4 334 9818. SNF arranges a meeting with the Director and Programme Head, then an informal assessment (report by email in 1-3 days) and a 7-14 day observation period.

Is there school transport?

Yes, SNF runs buses with tracking for students living in Dubai and Sharjah, on set routes and subject to seat availability, for students fit to travel by bus.

Can my child come just for therapy sessions?

The Afternoon Program offers one-to-one sessions by the hour, such as behaviour therapy, physiotherapy, vocational, computer and life-skills training. Ask the centre about eligibility and times.

What are the opening hours?

On Google: Monday to Friday 8AM-4PM, Saturday 9AM-12PM, closed Sunday. Programme times aren't published, so ask the centre.

Special Needs Future Development Center — photo

Special Needs Future Development Center (SNF): skills training for young people of determination, 14+, in Al Mankhool

Special NeedsSpecial Needs Centres

Checked Oct 2026Details checked October 2026

Mankhool

Special Needs Future Development Center, known as SNF, is a training centre in a villa behind Dubai Public Library in Al Mankhool. It works with young people of determination aged 14 and above, with no upper age limit, and its aim is independence at home, in the community and at work. The Morning Program runs across departments for functional skills, daily living skills, speech therapy, physiotherapy, computers, social skills and arts and crafts. A Special Care Unit gives focused support to students with challenging behaviours. The Afternoon Program offers one-to-one sessions by the hour, including ABA-based behaviour therapy, vocational training and life skills. SNF is a registered ASDAN centre, so students can earn a certificate for the life and work skills they build. Older students move on to internships and supported work placements. Outside the classroom, the centre lists yoga, Zumba, dance, cricket, badminton, horse riding and a buddy programme with mainstream schools. Families can also join the SNF Support Group.

snfgroup.com

The activity

Special Needs Centres, explained

A special needs training centre is a day centre where teenagers and young adults with disabilities keep learning after school age. Instead of an academic timetable, the focus is on independence: cooking a simple meal, handling money, grooming, using a computer, getting around safely and behaving well at work. Therapists often sit alongside the teachers, so speech therapy, physiotherapy and behaviour support happen during the same day. Many centres add sport, art and outings, and the older students move on to work placements. Families usually join after an assessment, and progress is tracked against a personal plan agreed with parents.

Who it's for

Young people aged 14 and above with a disability listed on the People of Determination (PoD) card issued by the Ministry of Community Development (MOCD). There is no upper age limit, so students range from teenagers to adults. The Special Care Unit is for students with challenging behaviours. It does not take younger children.

What to expect

Joining starts with an enquiry: parents fill in a basic information form about their child. SNF then books a meeting with its Director and Programme Head, followed by an informal assessment by a team of special educators and therapists. The report comes by email within 1-3 days. If the centre is a fit, there is an observation period of 7-14 days while staff watch how the student settles, and then the student is placed in a class that suits their needs. If SNF isn't the right place, the team says it will help parents look at alternatives. Each student works to a personal education plan, and parents get monthly progress updates.

Highlights

For ages 14 and above, with no upper age limit (snfgroup.com)
Morning Program across departments: functional skills, daily living, speech therapy, physiotherapy, computers, social skills and arts and crafts (snfgroup.com)
Afternoon Program: one-to-one sessions by the hour, including ABA-based behaviour therapy, vocational and computer training, physiotherapy and life skills (snfgroup.com)
Registered ASDAN centre; students receive a certificate after the course (snfgroup.com)
Internships and a Work Placement Program for older students, subject to eligibility (snfgroup.com)
Yoga, Zumba, dance, cricket, badminton, horse riding and a buddy programme with mainstream school students (snfgroup.com)

Why parents rate it

What parents say on Google

SNF has a 5.0 rating on Google from 22 reviews: 21 five-star and one four-star.

The facts

Ages: 14 and above, with a disability listed on the People of Determination (PoD) card; no upper age limit
Prices: Not published. Fees paid in advance at the start of each term; the fee policy says the day programme may be charged monthly and private sessions per session or per hour
Schedule: Morning Program (day programme) and Afternoon Program (one-to-one sessions booked by the hour); session times not published, ask the centre
Trial: No trial class; admission is by assessment, then a 7-14 day observation period
Where: Villa No. 9, 6th Street, Al Mankhool (behind Dubai Public Library), Dubai
How to book: snfgroup.com/snf-admission · +971 4 334 9818 · +971 50 557 0987 · [email protected]
Opening hours: Mon–Fri8am–4pm
Sat9am–12pm
SunClosed

Questions parents ask

Good to know

Eligibility needs a People of Determination (PoD) card from the Ministry of Community Development (snfgroup.com)
Buses with tracking run for students living in Dubai and Sharjah, on set routes and subject to seat availability; only for students who are fit to travel by bus (snfgroup.com)
Fees are paid in advance at the start of each term; the fee policy says the day programme may be charged monthly and private sessions per session or per hour (snfgroup.com)
The fee policy says the centre may offer a sliding scale based on family income; ask when you enquire (snfgroup.com)
Wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park (Google listing)
The SNF Support Group, started in 2003, brings together about 160 families through trips and workshops; membership form by email or in person (snfgroup.com)