Hiba Bahsoun is the Director of Inclusion at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education Diploma from the American University of Beirut. She pursued her Master of Arts degree from Columbia University, in Early Childhood Special Education in New York. In the US, she worked at different centers, nurseries, and schools, and gained experience working in different classroom settings.

Hiba has over 10 years of experience in the field of special educational needs. Hiba has worked with different cases and with different disabilities ranging from: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder, Intellectual and Developmental Delays, Communication Disorders, Learning Disabilities etc., with students of different ages. Hiba has been running a school based Inclusion Program, currently based at Greenwood International School. Hiba is an advocate of inclusive education, and is committed to the belief that each individual has a unique set of talents, abilities and interests that can be enriched and developed with the proper guidance, and each child has the right to an appropriate education within the least restrictive environment.

Within this role, Hiba works with several schools across Dubai trying to facilitate the process of inclusion and has helped teachers integrate students with special needs in the classroom. Hiba designs IEPs, provides teacher and parent trainings, conducts consultations, observations, and screenings; she assists schools and nurseries in identifying students with special education needs, and helps in implementing KHDA’s inclusive educational policy. Hiba is currently working as an adjunct instructor at a reputable university in Dubai, teaching a course about Inclusive Education.

Hala Mahrous has over twelve years of in-depth experience in behavior therapy, autism and children with special needs. She attained her B.S. Psychology from Kingston University, UK in 2006. She went on to complete her M.Ed. in Special Education from University of San Diego, USA in 2010 and her BCBA qualification from Florida Institute of Technology in 2015.

Hala has worked with children with special needs since 2006 in the UK, USA, Kuwait and UAE. She is skilled at providing individualized behavioural plans and learning services to children on the Autism spectrum and a variety of other diagnoses, utilizing ABA therapy, in center, home and school settings. She is skilled at working in cross-functional teams in schools and therapy units to roll out and implement behavior plans, curriculum modifications, accommodations, and social skills training as well as providing guidance and education to parents and staff.

She has experience in implementing a bilingual curriculum (Arabic, English) for behavior therapy which allows to address the growing need in Arabic communication and therapy practice.

Hala's passion comes from the optimistic perspective of creating a difference in one's life through changing behaviors and teaching skill sets to children and parents alike. Hala places great emphasis on identifying challenging behaviors and teaching functional skill sets, leading to tangible, positive results. She understands and appreciates the challenges put forth to provide learning and life changing opportunities for families.

Mohammed Faiz Ali is Head of Corporate Relations and Business Development at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center. He holds an MBA from EHSAL Management School, Brussels and also holds professional marketing certifications from Google Digital Garage and American Marketing Association.

His previous roles have been in healthcare marketing at Aster DM Healthcare and Belhoul Hospital in the UAE. Since 2016, Faiz consulted clients independently at various medical and non-medical establishments in Dubai and N. Emirates after moving from his full-time in Aster DM Healthcare. Faiz has been associated with Pulse Therapy and Learning Center since 2017 where he took up initiatives including insurance and medical tieups, events and professional training, marketing communication, headhunting, as well as school tieups.

Faiz is adept at understanding and working with people of all levels and cultures, and committed to building sustainable long term business solutions.

Blessing Donna Jacob is a Pediatric Speech and Language Therapist with 8 years of experience delivering comprehensive speech and language therapy within schools and centers in the UAE. In 2009, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Language Pathology & Audiology from Bangalore University, India going on to attain Masters in Speech Language Pathology in 2011. Prior to moving to Dubai in 2014, she worked in Saudi Arabia as Speech Therapist for 3 years in a school for children with additional needs.

Her work experience includes working in an early intervention programs as well as inclusion classrooms in mainstream schools providing individual as well as group therapy. Her prime area of focus is working with Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Down Syndrome, Stuttering, Cerebral Palsy and Articulation and Phonological disorders. She is trained in PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), Lidcombe program for stuttering, Makaton and the Listening-Language program for Auditory Processing Disorders by Lois Heymann. She is also Hanen certified in the More Than Words (MTW), and It Takes Two to Talk (ITTT) programs.

Donna is passionate about working with children with communication disabilities and in educating their families as well. She strongly believes that every child is one caring adult away from being a success story.

"All children need is a little help, a little hope and someone who believes in them" - Earvin “Magic” Johnson

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Ayesha Ahmed is a licensed Behavior Therapist at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center. She completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Counseling from Middlesex University in Dubai, UAE.

She started out her early career in volunteering and social work. She organized activities and programs for children; creating engaging and productive, goal-based activities. Some of these initiatives included social relief work for underprivileged families, English speaking skills development programs at school, along with her assignments as therapist and learning support assistance.

Her last appointment was at Stepping Stones Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders as an ABA Therapist/School Shadow for kids with Autism, ID, ADHD. She is well-versed with the implementation of ABA techniques including DTT, Task Analysis, PECS to increase language and communication, appropriate play skills and daily living skills. Implementing behavioral intervention plans created by BCBAs and monitoring maladaptive behavior.

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Melani Jimenez is the Lead ABA Therapist at Pulse Center. She is passionate in helping children of determination. She has 17 years of experience in the Philippines as a Special Education Teacher/Social Worker. She has experience working with children with autism, speech impairment, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and other physical and learning disabilities.

She moved to Dubai and worked with Special Needs Future Development Center as a Special Education teacher.

Her career as an ABA Therapist started in 2012 at Kids in Motion Pediatric Therapy Center where she worked for more than six years as the lead therapist in the early intervention program providing early and intensive behavioral intervention to clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder and language delay in a group setting. She is working along with a team of Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist and Speech Therapist, implementing individualized goals and checklist, providing therapeutic support to children with developmental delay, conducting one-on-one session using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, and planning and preparing a day program under the supervision of the BCBA.

Nikitha Ann Alexander

Behavior Therapist

Function and Specialization

— ABA Therapist

Education, Licenses and Certifications

— MSW - Specialized in Medical Psychiatry

— Bachelor of Social Work

— Licensed RBT practitioner

Background

Nikitha Ann Alexander is a licensed behavior therapist, having completed her RBT and currently working at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Social Work, specializing in Medical and Psychiatry at the University of Madras, Chennai, India.

From a very young age, she had a passion for working with children of determination and hence, obtained her license in RBT, after coming back from India. She is also trained in Listening Therapy.

She has experience working with special needs schools, rehabilitation centers, and community settings. Her experience includes Early Intervention Therapy, Special Educational Needs Intervention, Psychiatric Counseling and Group Therapy Techniques. She has acquired experience working with a vast range of conditions predominantly being: Autism, ADD/ADHD, Learning Disorders and Down Syndrome.

She is very passionate about providing care to children with difficulties and supporting their families in the best way possible.

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Francisca Melendez-Cendreda

Function and Specialization

• Behavior Therapist – Lead Class Assistant

Education, licenses and certification

• Doctor of Dental Medicine, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, San Carlos City, Philippines
• Registered Behavior Technician, BACB
• Basic Life Support, The Philippine National Red Cross, Baguio City, Philippines, 2002

Background

Mrs. Francisca Melendez-Cendreda joins Pulse Therapy and Learning Center from Stepping Stones Center Dubai as Behavior Therapist – Lead Class Assistant based at the Greenwood International School, Dubai. She obtained her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, Philippines. She obtained her RBT qualification in Dubai and is also BLS trained.  

She started her career in UAE in 2010 as Class Assistant in the Emirates English Nursery for 2 years. She started working as Behavior Therapist cum Shadow Teacher in the year 2012 at Stepping Stones Center Dubai at the Greenwood International School. Since then she has grown in her role to take on the post of Lead Class Assistant in 2015. Her role involves working with multiple stakeholders in the delivery of IEP for each student. She covers various aspects in school inclusion that help support the GIS school inclusion program including evaluation of staff performance, student inclusion assistance, progress journals development for parents, organize in-service training, staff allocation and scheduling, classroom requirements, to name a few of the major aspects of her role.

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Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, Cynthia worked as a medical transcriptionist for a company in the US, where she transcribed a variety of medical reports as dictated by physicians and other health care providers. Cynthia has many years of front office operations and is an integral member of the Human resources and administration team at the center.

Spoken languages: English, Tagalog

Manolo Sumilang Jr.

Function and Specialization

• Accounts and Insurance Officer

Background

Mr. Manolo Sumilang Jr. is Accounts and Insurance Coordinator at Pulse Therapy and Learning Center. Mr. Manolo has over 10 years of experience in Dubai working in the billing and insurance departments in healthcare firms including Shamma Clinic, Medsol Medical Laboratory, Northwest Clinic for Diabetes and Endocrinology. His role involves insurance claims management, approvals, price list management, billing assistance, accounting, medical coding, payment reconciliation, and insurance empanelment.

He is adept at various aspects of the healthcare revenue cycle and provides insights into the financial aspects of the center.

Ms. Bella Redondo joins Pulse Therapy and Learning Center from a reputable special education needs institution in Dubai Healthcare City. Ms. Bella has over 20 years of experience in administrative and secretarial duties. She is a highly efficient and competent scheduler and company secretary with an ability to ensure that the company complies and operates in accordance with statutory and legal provisions. Her organizational skills, efficiency methodical approach and her eye for detail ensure smooth functioning of the center operations.

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