Early Intervention Program
(EIP) in Doha, Qatar (2-6 Years)
At Mind Center for Individuals with Disabilities, our Early Intervention Program combines specialized education and clinical therapy within a structured, multidisciplinary learning environment for children from two to six years. Children attend a five-hour day, five days a week, receiving 25 hours of structured educational and developmental programming each week. Every child receives a daily one-hour, one-to-one session with a special educator who holds behavior analysis credentials, including QBA, QASP-S and ABAT, and five one-to-one sessions each week with a therapist licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health: ten individual sessions in all. Every child’s goals are set out in an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Program at a Glance
- Ages: two to six years.
- Therapy sessions offered in English, Arabic and the Qatari dialect.
- A five-hour day, five days a week: 25 hours of structured programming each week, combining group and individual instruction in a multisensory learning environment.
- Five individual 45-minute sessions each week with a licensed therapist, delivered outside the classroom. Any missed session is made up.
- Parent meetings every three months.
- An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for every child, written with the family and reviewed every three months so that goals are adjusted as the child progresses.
- Classrooms are supervised and monitored by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S), and every special educator has a background in applied behavior analysis.
- A daily one-hour, one-to-one session with a special educator who holds behavior analysis credentials, including QBA, QASP-S and ABAT, directed toward the same goals as the child’s therapy team.
- A monthly community outing, approved by the Ministry of Education and conducted with a professional driver and bus, to help children generalize skills to natural settings.
Nurturing Your Child's Development
Our program places a strong emphasis on five fundamental domains: Communication, Socialization, Cognitive Skills, Daily Living Skills, and Pre-Academic Skills. By addressing these areas comprehensively, our goal is to support your child’s overall development and empower them to thrive. We firmly believe in the active participation of parents, and we equip families with educational and therapeutic strategies that integrate into daily routines at home.
A Holistic and Collaborative Approach
Mind Center’s Special Educators work alongside therapists licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health, including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Developmental Specialists, Psychologists, ABA Therapists, and BCBA-certified experts. Special educators and therapists work toward the same individualized goals, so that instruction in the classroom and intervention in therapy reinforce one another and each child follows a single, coordinated plan.
Early Intervention for Children with Autism and Developmental Delays in Doha, Qatar
The Early Intervention Program at Mind Center for Individuals with Disabilities (MCID) in Doha, Qatar, serves children from two to six years of age who show early signs of autism, developmental delay, speech and language delay, or other early learning differences. Mind Center is a specialty education center licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
The first years of life are a period of rapid brain development, and a child’s response to structured support is strongest when that support begins early. Early intervention gives children the best opportunity to build the communication, social, learning, and self-care skills that underpin later education.
Children Who Benefit from Early Intervention
Families often contact us when a child is not yet using words or gestures to communicate, shows limited interest in other children, has difficulty with play, routines, or transitions, or is not reaching developmental milestones expected for their age. A child does not need a confirmed diagnosis for these concerns to be worth discussing with a specialist. If you are unsure whether your child would benefit, our team can guide you through assessment and intake.
Part of a Continuum of Programs
The Early Intervention Program is the first stage of the programs offered at Mind Center. Across every program, from early childhood through adulthood, our special educators hold behavior analysis credentials, including QBA, QASP-S and ABAT, and work alongside therapists licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health. To date, Mind Center has successfully integrated 39 students into mainstream schools. As children grow, families can continue within the same center through Daily Learning Support, Tatweer, and Tawasul, with school-based help available through our School Support Services. Families seeking more information on how we support children on the autism spectrum can read about our Autism Support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is early intervention?
Early intervention is a set of specialized educational and therapeutic supports for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities, together with training for their families. Its purpose is to improve a child’s development across communication, social, cognitive, motor, and self-care skills during the years when the brain is most responsive to learning.
What ages does the Early Intervention Program serve?
The program serves children from two to six years of age.
When should my child start early intervention?
As soon as a concern is noticed. Waiting to see whether a child catches up can mean losing valuable time. An early conversation with a specialist can either confirm that development is on track or begin support promptly.
What is an Individualized Education Plan?
An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a written plan that sets goals for a child based on their strengths and needs across areas such as communication, socialization, cognitive skills, daily living skills, and pre-academic skills. Parents take an active part in shaping and reviewing the plan.
How can parents be involved?
Parents are partners in the program. Families take part in setting their child’s goals and receive guidance on using educational and therapeutic strategies in everyday routines at home.
How many hours is the Early Intervention Program?
Children attend a daily 5-hour program that combines group and individual instruction. The program runs five days a week, 25 hours in total. In addition, each child receives five individual 45-minute sessions each week with a licensed therapist outside the classroom, and a daily one-hour, one-to-one session with a special educator who holds behavior analysis credentials, including QBA, QASP-S and ABAT. Any missed session is made up.
Is the program supervised by behavior analysts?
Classrooms are supervised and monitored by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a Qualified Autism Service Practitioner-Supervisor (QASP-S). Special educators are also supervised by a QASP-S, and all have a background in applied behavior analysis.
How often do parents meet the team?
Parent meetings take place every three months.
Are the therapists licensed?
Yes. The speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists and psychologists are licensed by Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health. They work toward the same goals as the special educators in each child’s plan.
Do children take part in community outings?
Yes. Children take a monthly community outing approved by the Ministry of Education and conducted with a professional driver and bus. Outings give children the opportunity to generalize communication, social and behavioral skills to natural settings.
In which languages are therapy sessions offered?
Therapy sessions are offered in English, in Arabic and in the Qatari dialect, so that each child can receive intervention in the language used at home.
How do I begin?
You can request an appointment online or call us on 5572 5151. Our team will explain the next steps and answer your questions.