DUBAI: As a young boy, Michael never sat still. He never closed his mouth. He was always jumping around. “He’s a boy,” his mum Debbie Phelps said.
Fast forward to 2016. At the Rio Olympic Games, Michael Phelps, now age 31, won his 23rd Olympic gold. His astounding swimming record made him the most decorated Olympian of all time. It did not come easy. At preschool, teachers complained: Michael couldn’t stay quiet, wouldn’t sit at circle time, didn’t keep his hands to himself, was giggling and laughing and nudging kids for attention.
At age 9, in fifth grade, given his lack of focus and fidgety behaviour, Michael was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To many parents of children with ADHD, Michael Phelps’s story is great news.
Dubai has 210 private schools following 17 different curricula and Abu Dhabi has 205 private schools, which means the task of selecting the right one
is not always easy, especially during these challenging times. But there is help at hand.
Here s everything parents need to know about choosing the right schools and navigating the tricky admissions process.
Things to consider when choosing a school
Rachael Wilding, principal of Smart Vision School in Al Barsha, Dubai, said parents should begin by making inquiries and asking lots of questions.
Do they want a school with a structured environment or one that offers flexible programmes? Does their child require one-on-one learning or larger groups to encourage social skills?