HIGH HOPES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Human Resources and Facilities Director
Also on the Board of Trustees at High Hopes, Aida is responsible for the ongoing development and execution of HR and Administration strategies at High Hopes which includes developing and implementing policies and procedures, on-boarding, recruitment, training and development, performance management, employee retention, benefits management and employee relations. She is also responsible for the health and safety of the Center and is the focal point of contact with other organisations like the Dubai Health Authority and the Community Development Authority. Aida has been with us at High Hopes since its inception in October 2017.
Aida has more than 11 years of strategic experience in leading HR and Administration functions (regionally and globally) across the Banking, Oil and Gas, and Waste Management industries. She holds a BA in Political Studies and Public Administration from the American University of Beirut and a Master's in Human Resources Management from the Middlesex University in London. She is a Fellow Member of the CIPD. And also a volunteer for many years at the Cancer Center and with Orphans in Lebanon.
Aida is also a proud aunt to Alia and when High Hopes was conceptualised, becoming an active part of it was a very natural progression for Aida.
Job Titles:
- Member of the SLT TEAM
- Speech and Language Therapist
Alycia is a dedicated Speech and Language Therapist, having graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Science (Psychology) in 2017 and a Master's degree in Speech Pathology in 2020 from Melbourne, Australia.
Since completing her Master's degree, Alycia has gained experience across diverse settings, including special developmental schools, community/ home-based environments, and private practices. Her strong commitment to ongoing professional development has led her to gain extensive training in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) using high-tech applications such as Proloquo2go, LAMP, AVAZ, and TD Snap, as well as low-tech communication boards and books including PODD.
Alycia is proficient in providing interventions using Hanen (More Than Words) and social cognitive interventions, including Social Thinking®, as well as executive functioning management and neurodiverse-affirming best practices for autistic and ADHD populations. With over five years of hands-on experience, she has successfully supported individuals ranging from 15 months to 18 years old with a broad spectrum of diagnoses, including autism, global developmental delay, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome, pathological demand avoidance, childhood apraxia of speech, speech sound delays, expressive and receptive language delays, auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
Alycia is known for her dynamic and compassionate approach to therapy. She is dedicated to providing evidence-based, neurodiverse-affirming speech and language therapy to children and adolescents in need of communication support.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Accounting Manager
- Accounts Supervisor
- Finance
- Member of the Operations and Administration TEAM
Carole Varias is the Finance and Accounts Supervisor at High Hopes. She is responsible for the overall financial requirement of High Hopes, including close monitoring and secured financial process. She also extends her support and assistance to the day to day operations across other departments.
Carole has more than 20 years of experience in Finance, across the banking, consultant engineers / construction and advertising.
Neurologist Dr Patricia Hartlage defines ataxia as the condition of being unable to get a taxi: When arriving at an airport, one usually hails a…
Job Titles:
- Physiotherapist
- Clinical Team Supervisor
Dr. Abir Massaad has been a neuropediatric physiotherapist for more than 18 years, and has focused on pediatric and neuropediatric rehabilitation. Her specialty is in the field of gait and motion analysis in children and served as the physiotherapist in charge at the gait and motion analysis laboratory at SESOBEL (Lebanon). She also has extensive publications in the field of muscle, gait and motion abnormalities in children with Cerebral Palsy.
She received a degree in physical therapy from the University of Saint-Joseph, Lebanon and was later awarded a Masters degree from the University in 2010 with a focus on musculoskeletal abnormalities in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP). She later awarded a PhD from the University of Saint-Joseph, in collaboration with the Institut de Biomécanique Humaine Georges Charpak, Arts et Métiers ParisTech, Paris.
Dr. Abir Massaad currently directs the Research and Development department at SESOBEL and is an assistant professor at the Laboratory of Biomechanics and Medical Imaging at the Faculty of Medicine; University of Saint-Joseph. She is also a member of the European Academy of Childhood Disability (EACD), as well as the European Society for Movement Analysis in Adults and Children (ESMAC). She is a regular abstract reviewer at the ESMAC annual meeting and an invited reviewer for international scientific journals such as European Spine Journal, Gait and Posture, Clinical Neuroscience, and others.
Dr. Abir Massaad joins High Hopes Dubai as a Clinical Team Supervisor overlooking and managing the interdisciplinary therapy programs for our super special children. She will be guiding the team on the most suitable plans and schedules for our children. In addition, she will be working herself as a Senior Physical Therapist within the Physical therapy team with various children presenting with complex physical needs ranging from Genetic Conditions to Neurological Disorders to Cerebral Palsy. Her passion and expertise is for the moderate to complex needs.
She is fluent in English, Arabic and French and she can offer therapeutic support in all three languages.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Lourdes is a consultant, a doctor and an innovator and along with Charo, the brains behind the path-breaking Aquatic Fitness programme at High Hopes. Lourdes and Charo started collaborating with High Hopes, Dubai in 2017 and designed a bespoke swimming pool to implement the MITAF WATERFIT programme with the help of parents, care-givers, teachers and on-site professionals.
After graduating with a DEGREE IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY, Lourdes undertook research studies on the effects of aquatic fitness in groups of people with different illnesses or conditions with very positive results.
Teaming up with Charo Belenguer - the best aquatic trainer she knew, they set out to adapt the Aquatic Fitness programme for people with reduced mobility. After nearly 4 years, the duo rolled out the new MITAF WATERFIT programme in 2005 with adults and children with special needs and rare illnesses.
Job Titles:
- Senior Occupational Therapist
- Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Hadeel collaborates with an interdisciplinary team to help children reach their full potential. She holds a Bachelor's in Occupational Therapy from the University of Jordan. Her expertise covers babies to school-aged children in clinics, special needs schools, and mainstream schools, offering individual and group therapy.
Passionate about fostering children's independence, Hadeel advocates for inclusion. She's trained in Sensory Integration, Hippotherapy, DIR-Floortime, ABA, Handwriting without Tears, Makaton sign language, and NDT.
Her experience spans autism, developmental delays, motor/genetic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and bilingual (Arabic/English) children. Fluent in both languages, Hadeel offers therapeutic support in both.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Hadeel Alkurdi, Senior Pediatric Occupational Therapist with 8+ years of experience. She's dedicated to personalized care, neurodiversity, and inclusion, empowering individuals of diverse abilities.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Operations and Administration TEAM
- Operations Manager
Hanan has worked in healthcare operations at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC) and Burjeel Hospital Abu Dhabi for over 13 years. Through her participation in national and international healthcare conferences, she has demonstrated her commitment to excellence.
Hanan is dedicated to service quality, operational safety and patient wellness. In addition to her outstanding managerial skills, she has a wealth of experience in achieving high operating standards and providing world-class patient care.
Hanan holds a BA degree in Business Management and is pursuing her MPH from Guglielmo Marconi University (Italy) and a postgraduate degree from Cambridge University (UK). She is also certified in SHRM-CP and has completed other customer service courses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the SLT TEAM
- Senior Speech & Language Therapist
Job Titles:
- Speech Therapist 's Playful Guide to Learning and Laughter
Hey amazing parents and caregivers! As we plunge into January-the gateway to the year and the month that celebrates the International Day of Education-let's transform…
Job Titles:
- Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist
Job Titles:
- Senior Physical Therapist
With over 15 years of dedicated experience as a pediatric physiotherapist, Latisha has cultivated a wealth of expertise in the field, practicing in both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. Her professional journey encompasses a diverse range of environments, including acute pediatric clinical care, child development centers, schools, and home-based settings, as well as active involvement with various charitable organizations. Latisha earned her Physiotherapy degree from Bournemouth University in 2009, laying the foundation for her impactful career.
Throughout her career, Latisha has demonstrated unwavering dedication and achievement in treating young individuals from newborns to 18-year-olds. She is particularly passionate about specialized areas such as complex neurodisability, developmental delay, and early intervention. Latisha's commitment to continuous learning is underscored by her membership in the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists (APCP) and her accreditation as a practitioner in Bobath, Halliwick, and Aquatic therapy. She has also obtained expertise in Paediatric K-taping and completed Module 1 of her MSc in Sensory Integration. Latisha's extensive background includes valuable experience in conductive education settings.
In addition to her professional focus, Latisha possesses competence in treating various conditions, including acquired birth injuries (Erb's Palsy, head deformities, positional talipes), MSK pain/injuries, post-orthopedic surgery, juvenile to adolescent scoliosis (Schroth trained), neonates/premature babies, oncology rehabilitation, rheumatology conditions (JIA), acute nerve injuries/palsy, neuromuscular conditions (SMA or DMD), and gait difficulties or normal variants (toe walking, flat feet).
Latisha is not only dedicated to her professional endeavors but also actively contributes to philanthropy. She has participated in half marathons specifically for children's charities, such as Whizz Kids. Additionally, Latisha has organized sports days and camps for children with determination in the UK, earning media recognition for her impactful efforts.
Through her expertise and certifications, Latisha strives to ensure the ongoing developmental and physical needs of children are met, working closely with parents and caregivers to provide comprehensive care and support.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Member of the Board
- Founder and Managing Mum
Lynn Barghout Jafar is the Founder and Managing Mum of High Hopes. A mother of four and a former advertising executive, Lynn grew up in Oman and Lebanon and worked for a global advertising agency for 5 years before becoming a full time mother. She is also the primary caregiver for her 9 year old special needs daughter Alia, her oldest child. Alia was diagnosed at birth with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, a rare genetic disorder.
High Hopes is Lynn's brainchild - a place she envisioned in Dubai to enable children with moderate to severe special needs to maximize their potential. The center is the result of her vision to establish a center that offers world class services through an integrated therapy approach under the care of highly experienced paediatric therapists, all under one roof.
High Hopes is part of Lynn's efforts towards turning Dubai and the UAE into a hub for the highest standard therapies instead of parents needing to seek help overseas for their special needs children.
Her commitment to High Hopes being the best Pediatric Therapy Center in UAE and the first port of call for any parent with a special needs child comes from her own first hand experience that early intervention in developmental delays goes a long way.
Lynn holds a BA in Business Marketing from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and an MSc in Management and Marketing from the CASS Business School in London. She is also the Co-Founder of the Loulou Foundation which is one of the leading medical research foundations across the world in developing research based therapy in rare diseases.
Job Titles:
- Vision Intervention Specialist / Optometrist
Maisa is a PhD candidate in E-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom and a M.Sc. Graduate in Vision Rehabilitation from the German Jordanian University. Maisa is a certified International Accessibility Specialist and a certified Optometrist with 14 years of experience in Assistive Technology for the visually impaired and more than six years of extensive experience in vision rehabilitation as well as cortical visual impairment assessment and support. Maisa is currently the UAE representative for the G3ict initiative. Maisa's core responsibility is to ensure inclusive access for everyone.
HER Expertise
Job Titles:
- Member of the Operations and Administration TEAM
- Front Desk Administrator
- Front Desk Administrator / Management
Manisha is a part of the Front Desk team, responsible for administrative support and communication with the parents inquiring to join High Hopes. She is passionate in working with children of all abilities and assisting in planning events and camps for the children to enjoy.
She graduated in 2018 with a certificate in Psychology in a university in Sri Lanka and completed an online course in ABA whilst working at High Hopes. Manisha has several years of working with children as an early childhood educator and administrative skills attained during her work in Dubai.
Job Titles:
- Medical Director
- Occupational Therapist
- Deputy Managing Director / Senior Occupational Therapist
Nicola is a passionate Occupational Therapist/Medical Director with over 11 years' experience working in pediatric services across Ireland, the UK and Dubai.
As well as her degree in occupational therapy, her educational background includes a master's degree in psychology, providing a solid understanding in child development and childhood disorders. She has also achieved ‘Advanced Practitioner' status in Sensory Integration Therapy.
In addition to her core specialization, Nicola has pursued further training in Vision Therapy, Neuro-Developmental Treatment, and Behavioural Therapy. This diverse skill set enables her to holistically assess a child's needs, tailoring interventions with precision to address individual requirements.
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK, Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and a member of The Royal College of Occupational Therapists, she upholds the highest professional standards.
Excited to bring her expertise to High Hopes Dubai, Nicola is dedicated to delivering high-quality occupational therapy services and continue to cultivate a culture of excellence within the team.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Physical Therapist
- Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist / Neurology and Neuroscience
Priscila Cunha Santos is licensed by the Regional Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy of the 3rd Region (CREFITO 3) in Brazil and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).
Priscila graduated in Physiotherapy in 2002 and achieved her Doctorate Degree in Neurology and Neuroscience from the Federal University of São Paulo (Brazil) in 2015. She is also a certified postgraduate in Motor Physiotherapy applied to Neurology by the same University and in Intervention in Neuropediatrics by the Federal University of Sao Carlos, both in Brazil.
Within her 21 years of experience in children's neurological rehabilitation processes, Priscila has been working with Neurofunctional Physiotherapy in a clinical set, including Hydrotherapy and Intensive programs. Priscila was a Professor for five years, teaching Neurological Physiotherapy in undergraduate Physiotherapy courses in Brazil. Before moving to Dubai, Priscila was heavily involved in applying Intensive Training Programs in skill cages, also known as Spider Cage, and in fitting dynamic orthotic suits such as TheraTogs. She is also experienced with whole-body vibration therapy (Galileo/Hypervibe) and task-specific electrical stimulation (TASES). Priscila moved from Brazil to Dubai exclusively to join the High Hopes family!
Priscila is a dedicated physical therapist who brings a wealth of experience and genuine passion to her work. With extensive experience, she specializes in conditions such as cerebral palsy and rare diseases with developmental delay, neuromuscular scoliosis, and complex needs. Priscila integrates neurological and biomechanical principles for effective motor learning, and her focus lies in promoting and enhancing children's autonomy and participation at home, school and community. She strongly believes the child's rehabilitation process must be based on family-centred, playful, gentle approaches.
Priscila is fluent in English and Portuguese and can offer therapeutic support in both languages.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Charo, along with Lourdes is the design genius behind the bespoke pool facilities at High Hopes, where she has also implemented the highly coveted MITAF Waterfit programme. Co-ordinating hydrotherapy sessions between teachers, parents, care-givers and on-site professional therapists enables the team to tailor sessions to each student's specific needs, capabilities and objectives. The programme has seen several success stories, not only with mobility, but also with behaviour and heightened self-esteem among kids.
With more than 20 years' experience, Charo is a qualified lifeguard and Rescue and Lifesaving instructor and since 2005 has been a Personal Trainer for people with a disability (MITAF Programme).
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Member of the SLT TEAM
- Senior Speech and Language Therapist
Sally is a Senior Speech and Language Therapist holding a bachelor's degree from the Lebanese University. With 11 years of experience, she is certified by the international training center "The Hanen Center" in Canada. This certification makes her eligible to conduct three professional programs for parents (It Takes Two To Talk, More Than Words, and TalkAbility) and one program for teachers (Learning Language and Loving It). Additionally, Sally recently obtained certification from the Lidcombe Program, a behavioral treatment that targets children's stuttered speech.
Furthermore, she is certified by The Prompt Institute to treat children with Apraxia. Sally specializes in working in the pediatric field (Birth To 15 years) among children with various difficulties and diagnoses such as language impairment, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder, hearing loss, Apraxia, Down syndrome, and a phonological disorder.
Sally has worked in different setups, including schools, private clinics, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers. She can deliver speech and language therapy sessions in three languages: Arabic (including Emirati Dialect), English, and French.
Passionate about coaching parents throughout therapy sessions, Sally provides practical tools and strategies to support their children at home.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Member of the SLT TEAM
- Speech and Language Therapist
Samreen is a Speech and Language Therapist with in-depth experience working with children with Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Developmental Language Disorders and Social Communication Disorders. She is certified in multiple therapeutic approaches such as PECs and TalkTools alongside attending various trainings for using a holistic approach in language stimulation, targeting language through play for early intervention and using AAC in speech and language therapy sessions to facilitate communication. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Speech, Language, and Communication at City University of London.
She has a dual Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech, Language Therapy and has specialized at the outpatient clinic of her alma mater, Ziauddin University. She has also completed multiple internships and externships at specialised clinics and institutes for children and youth with Down Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy.
Samreen's other areas of expertise include assessing and providing intervention for children with speech sound disorders, hearing impairment and feeding and swallowing difficulties with a focus on working with pre-school and primary school children requiring early intervention. She is currently learning more about sensory integration in speech therapy and plans to implement that in her sessions. She uses a hybrid approach in therapy with the aim of achieving outcome measures through a multidisciplinary team approach that includes other professionals as well as family/caregiver inputs.
Samreen is fluent in English and Urdu and can assess and provide intervention in both languages.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Psychomotor & Play Therapist
Sara is a dedicated Psychomotor Therapist with over a decade of experience in school and pediatric services across Portugal and Dubai. Complementing her Psychomotor degree, Sara also holds postgraduate qualifications in play therapy and recreational therapy.
Sara is specialized in mental health with vast experience in anxiety, trauma, behavioral issues, family dynamics, and positive parenting for lasting positive impact. With experience in tailoring play techniques to address individuals holistically, she fosters a nurturing environment where children and adolescents can navigate challenges using a diverse range of therapeutic modalities.
Further enhancing her expertise, Sara has pursued additional training in parenting strategies, somatic and trauma therapy, creative therapy interventions, CBIT (Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics), interventions for eating disorders in children and young people, sand tray therapy, and clay therapy. With a profound understanding of child and adolescent development, coupled with proficiency in various therapeutic techniques, Sara offers tailored services aimed at supporting the holistic growth and development of her clients.
Job Titles:
- Distinguished Pediatric Physical Therapist
- Senior Pediatric Physical Therapist
Sujata Noronha is a distinguished Pediatric Physical Therapist with 21 years of expertise, specializing in the intricate care of preterm and premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and High Risk Care settings. As a Certified Neonatal Therapist, Sujata brings advanced training and specialized knowledge to address developmental challenges, motor difficulties, and sensory issues unique to newborns and high-risk infants.
Her commitment extends beyond the NICU, emphasizing close follow-up care post-discharge to monitor progress and promptly address emerging developmental concerns. Sujata's passion lies in early intervention, recognizing the critical impact it has on a child's neurodevelopment. Her family-centric approach involves parents and caregivers, creating individualized, goal-oriented plans to cater to each baby's unique needs.
Sujata Noronha's extensive training in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) is a valuable asset, enabling her to provide comprehensive and continuous care throughout a child's growth. Continuing the learning curve as a trained CME level one therapist she amalgamates her experience in NDT and SI (Sensory Integration) with CME techniques to provide excellent results with our little champions. She believe in a multi faceted approach to treatment and advocates a holistic approach to therapy.
Job Titles:
- Pediatric Occupational Therapist
Tania Padovan is a Pediatric Occupational Therapist with over 5 years of experience. She is dedicated to empowering individuals, fostering independence and confidence in children, as well as creating a fun and safe environment.
Tania collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to help children reach their full potential, which is incredibly important to her. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Science from the Australian Catholic University and a Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy from The University of Canberra. Her expertise covers infants to teenagers in clinical and community settings, including mainstream schools, where she offers both individual and group therapy interventions.
Passionate about building children's confidence and independence, Tania is trained in emotional regulation, handwriting without tears, gross motor development, and is continuing her training in sensory integration.
Her experience with children includes working with ADHD, autism, gross and fine motor development issues, sensory challenges, developmental delays, Cerebral Palsy, and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
Through her expertise, Tania is dedicated to delivering high-quality occupational therapy services to our super special ones at High Hopes.
HER CERTIFICATIONS
Job Titles:
- Head of Speech & Language Department
Graduating in Speech and Language Therapy in 1999, Vivianne earned her Post Graduation in Oral Motor and Vocal Disorders (IMEC), coupled with a master's degree in Speech and Language Therapy from the Santa Maria Federal University in Brazil. With a career spanning 25 years, she has focused on speech, language, feeding, and oral motor disorders. Over the last decade, her specialization includes diagnosing and treating dysphagia, Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and childhood apraxia of speech. Viviane is renowned among health professionals for diagnosing and providing early intervention therapy to children with severe and rare diseases. She is also passionate about guiding and supporting parents in promoting their children's development.
Viviane commenced her journey over 15 years ago at the Dubai Center for Special Needs (DCSN), catering to students with diverse cultural backgrounds and diagnoses. Following that, she provided therapy at The Physiotherapy and Family Medicine Clinic in 2014. In 2017, she joined High Hopes, where she currently serves as the Head of the Speech and Language department.
Today, she is recognized as one of the most prominent pediatric speech and language therapists in the Middle East, considered one of the best-trained professionals in the UAE.
Job Titles:
- Senior Occupational Therapist
Zakiya holds a bachelor's and a master's degree in occupational therapy and has over 8 years of experience working with all ages of children from newborns through adolescents as well as adults. She has worked in a variety of settings, including hospitals, wellness centers, pre-schools, and elementary schools, home-based therapy, and several private outpatient treatment clinics in India, the USA, and Dubai. She has training in Neurodevelopmental Technique (NDT), Sensory Integration (SI), Kinesiotaping, The Listening Program and Alert program, Handwriting Without Tears (Level 1), Cortical Visual Impairment, and Sensory workshop with King of Swing. She uses a combination of assessment tools and these approaches during evaluation and therapy, custom tailoring the child's plan based on his or her individual needs. She provides individual and group therapy to children with a variety of diagnoses, including Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Cerebral Palsy (CP), developmental delay, Down Syndrome, VATER syndrome, handwriting difficulties, behavior issues, stroke, and orthopedic impairments like spina bifida, juvenile RA.