One Child. One Hope. One Change.

“This is not just my journey.
It’s the silent reality of thousands of parents —
who face rejection, lack of support, and systemic neglect.

In a world where it's far too easy to overlook the vulnerable,
our children are left behind simply because schools aren’t equipped
to give them the comprehensive care they deserve.

But we are here.
We are building the support they need.

One child at a time.
One door at a time."

From Heartbreak to Hope

“I know the pain of having a child turned away from a school simply because they cannot cope with the environment. It’s heartbreaking and overwhelming.”
— Shamaila Nawaz

Small Steps was born from the deeply personal journey of its co-founder, Shamaila Nawaz — a British citizen and long-time resident of Dubai. In 2015, her life took a new turn when her three-and-a-half-year-old son was accepted into FS1 at a school in Dubai. What should have been an exciting milestone quickly became a struggle.

Following the induction, it became painfully clear that her son could not meet the school’s expectations. Despite voicing her concerns, the support offered was minimal. With no suitable options locally, Shamaila turned to the United Kingdom in search of resources, therapies, and guidance.

That search opened her eyes to a gap in the region — the lack of accessible, high-quality support services for children with learning difficulties. It was in this moment of frustration and clarity that the seed for Small Steps Big Dreams was planted: a safe space built to offer the understanding, support, and inclusion she once desperately needed.

From being a mother navigating an autism diagnosis to becoming a dedicated advocate for inclusion, Shamaila’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and purpose. Every barrier she faced became fuel to create change — not just for her son Zayan, but for countless parents and children on a similar path.

Building Bridges to Inclusion

Since its founding, Small Steps has grown into more than just a center — it has become a bridge between special education and mainstream schooling. Through strong partnerships with leading schools such as GEMS Founders School, GEMS Founders Al Mizhar, GEMS Founders Dubai South, GEMS Al Barsha National School, and Wesgreen International School in Sharjah, Small Steps has pioneered a model of integrated support where children are nurtured not in isolation, but within inclusive school environments.

This collaboration-driven approach sets Small Steps apart. By working hand in hand with schools, therapists, and families, the center ensures children don’t just learn in a classroom — they thrive in a community that understands them.

The impact speaks for itself: over 50 students have successfully transitioned into mainstream education with the right guidance and resources, while more than 100 families have found the support, reassurance, and hope they once thought impossible.

What makes Small Steps unique is not only the therapies and programs it offers but the vision it carries — to make inclusion the norm, not the exception. Every child deserves a chance to belong, and every parent deserves to see that possibility become reality.