Dr. Samira Salem
Founder and Director
Research Contributions
- Ms. Samira Salem is the founder and director of the Abilities Development Center for People of Determination, the first center in the country to combine services for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Down syndrome, and autism.
- PhD researcher in Special Education (Autism)
- Master's in Special Education (Autism) 2022
- Diploma in Mental Health
- General Diploma in Education
- Bachelor's in Accounting and Business Administration
- Social Awareness Activist
- Participation in the Sharjah Humanitarian Work Conference 2023, receiving the Inspiring Woman Award.
- Presented a research paper on disability and the role of families at the American Forum in 2021.
- Participated in the Mental Health Forum during the COVID-19 crisis with a paper on the "UAE Model and Strategy in Facing the Pandemic" (2021).
- Presented a paper on handling children with autism at the First Capacity Development Forum (2021).
- Presented a research paper on "Parental Positivity" at the Integrated Research Conference for Development in Egypt (2019).
- Presented "The Role of Parents in Supporting Disability Services" at the 2nd Gulf Association for Disability Forum in Sharjah (2001).
- Participated in the First Autism Conference in Lebanon (2002) with a paper on "My Experience in Opening the First Center in the UAE" with the support of Sheikha Shamsa bint Hamdan Al Nahyan.
- Delivered awareness lectures at the General Police Command on autism and how to handle autistic individuals.
- Conducted awareness lectures on disabilities in over 70 public and private schools.
- Organized a cultural seminar on the importance of sports for individuals with disabilities (2007).
