Sunshine Learning Difficulties Center: special education support in Downtown Dubai
About Sunshine Learning Difficulties Center
Sunshine Learning Difficulties Center (SLDC) is a special education consultancy on the ground floor of the Opera Grand building in Downtown Dubai, running since 2017. It is licensed by the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the KHDA. The team works with children and families through the school years: educational and psychological assessments, special education counselling and writing Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Its 2023 services list also includes school placement help, school visits and learning support assistant (LSA) packages. It supports children with autism, ADHD, specific learning disorders, developmental delay, communication, hearing or visual impairments, emotional and behavioural needs, and gifted and talented learners. The centre's special educator, Marcheta G. Hightower, M.Ed., has over 25 years' experience and is CDA-licensed; its clinical psychologist, Dr. Annita Sani, has worked in the USA and the UAE for over three decades. This is appointment-based support rather than a drop-in class, and it also runs training courses for teachers. Fees are not published, so message the centre for current prices.
The activity
Learning Support, explained
Learning support helps children who find parts of school harder than their classmates do, whether that is reading, maths, attention, communication or behaviour. It usually starts with an assessment: a specialist looks at how your child learns, where they are now and what gets in the way. From there, the child gets a plan with clear goals, often called an Individual Education Program (IEP), plus changes in the classroom and, sometimes, a learning support assistant in class. Good support builds skills, confidence and independence, and it helps parents and school pull in the same direction. It can begin at any point in the school years, as soon as a parent or teacher has a concern.
Who it's for
Children and students who need extra support at school, including People of Determination and gifted and talented learners. The centre lists autism spectrum disorder, communication disorders, developmental delay, emotional and behavioural disorders, hearing impairment, intellectual disabilities, ADD/ADHD, physical impairment, specific learning disorder and visual impairment. Support runs through the school years: the centre's 2023 services list covers K-12 students, plus university and vocational learners. For your child's age, ask the provider.
What to expect
Visits are by appointment. The centre's 2023 services list starts with an initial consultation, then assessments in English, maths, reading or science, a functional assessment, or a full psychoeducational package. That package covers a consultation, a records review, parent and teacher interviews, an IQ test, one assessment report and a meeting to go through it, and it takes two to three months. After an assessment, the team can write an IEP or transition plan, visit your child's school, or set up an LSA. The site does not mention a trial session, and fees are not published: ask the provider for current prices and how the first appointment works.
Highlights
- Licensed by the Community Development Authority (CDA) and the KHDA (sunshineatc.com)
- Educational, functional and psychoeducational assessments, including IQ testing (sunshineatc.com)
- IEP writing, plus transition plans, school visits and placement help listed in the centre's 2023 services (sunshineatc.com)
- Learning support assistant (LSA) packages listed in the centre's 2023 services (sunshineatc.com)
- Supporting families in Dubai since 2017 (sunshineatc.com)
- 4.8 on Google from 57 reviews (Google listing)
Why parents rate it
What parents say on Google
Sunshine Learning Difficulties Center has 4.8 on Google from 57 reviews. Of those, 54 are five stars, one is four stars and two are one star.
The facts
- Not published yet
- Ask about ages, prices and trials
- Where
- The Bureau Business Center, Ground Floor, Opera Grand Building, Downtown Dubai
- How to book
- sunshineatc.com/contact · +971 56 867 5000 · [email protected]
- Opening hours
- Mon–Thu9am–6pm
- Fri9am–1:30pm
- Sat–SunClosed
Questions parents ask
Good to know
- Appointment required (Google listing)
- Free car park and free multi-storey car park, plus paid street parking (Google listing)
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance, toilet, seating and car park (Google listing)
- Services are on site, not online (Google listing)
- A 2023 services list offers 50% off some special education services for FAZAA, ESAAD, POD, SANAD and DEWA card holders; confirm it still applies (sunshineatc.com)
Prices, ages and times change — confirm with the provider before you book.
Photos
Location
Skip mapOpera Grand Building The Bureau Business Center Ground Floor - Dubai
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