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Our Services

School Assessments

Are you applying for a private school in Dubai or Sharjah? At Esperanza, we provide the DHA Certified Assessment Reports required by admissions teams and inclusion departments. Whether you are transitioning to FS1 in a British curriculum school or joining a CBSE or American academy, our assessments ensure your child has the right support from day one.

Affordable Excellence for UAE Families

How much is a school assessment in Dubai? At Esperanza, our complete 3-day assessment package is only AED 700. This includes all clinical testing, observations, and your formal DHA Certified Report.

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Serving Local School Communities

Our Karama centre is a central hub for families across the Emirates. We are perfectly positioned
for parents in:

  • Dubai Hubs: Al Karama, Bur Dubai, Mirdif, Dubai Hills, and Jumeirah.
  • Sharjah Hubs: Al Nahda, Muwaileh, Al Tai, and Al Majaz.
  • School Groups: We provide reports accepted by GEMS Education, Taaleem, Innoventures, and Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA) schools.

1. Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Assessment

We use gold-standard, evidence-based tools to evaluate how your child communicates in a social and academic setting.

  • CELF-5 / CELF Preschool-3: The industry standard for measuring core language skills and the ability to follow classroom instructions.
  • PLS-5: A play-based assessment for early learners (birth to 7 years) focusing on vocal development and comprehension.
  • GFTA-3: Evaluating speech sound accuracy to ensure your child is understood by peers and teachers.


A DHA Certified SLT Report is more than just a list of scores; it is your child’s voice in a busy classroom. In the multicultural environment of Dubai and Sharjah schools, we ensure teachers understand exactly how to bridge any communication gaps. By identifying strengths in receptive and expressive language, we help your child advocate for themselves, participate in group lessons, and build the social confidence needed for a happy school life.

2. Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessment

Our OT evaluations focus on the “functional independence” your child needs to succeed in a physically and sensorily demanding school day.

  • Beery VMI: A critical test for “Visual-Motor Integration”, the foundation for handwriting and copying from a whiteboard.
  • Sensory Profile™ 2: Understanding how your child processes noise, light, and touch in a classroom to recommend the right “Sensory Breaks.”


Classrooms in the UAE are dynamic environments. Our DHA Certified OT Report translates clinical data into a “Classroom Success Manual.” We help the school understand your child’s physical stamina, from the core strength needed to sit at a desk to the fine motor precision required for the British or Indian curriculum’s handwriting standards. By addressing sensory processing early, we ensure your child stays regulated, focused, and ready to learn even in a high-energy school setting.

3-Day Process: From Testing to Report

We respect the tight deadlines of Dubai school admissions. Our streamlined 3-day process is designed for speed without sacrificing clinical depth.

  1. Day 1: Consultation & Functional Observation We observe your child in a natural play setting to see how they apply their skills in “real-world” scenarios.
  2. Day 2: Formal Clinical Assessment Focused standardized testing (CELF-5, Beery VMI, etc.) to capture the essential data required by schools.
  3. Day 3: Additional Areas and Review Meeting A 1-on-1 meeting to explain the findings of assessment.


Receive your official, stamped DHA Report within 3 working days for immediate submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Every private school in Dubai (KHDA) and Sharjah (SPEA) accepts our reports because they are signed and stamped by DHA-licensed specialists. This includes major groups like GEMS, Taaleem, Innoventures, and SABIS.

No, a formal diagnosis is not required for school admission in Dubai. Under the KHDA Inclusive Education Policy Framework, schools must admit students and provide support based on observed needs; however, a DHA Certified Assessment is often required to unlock formal inclusion services and 1:1 support.

Our specialists use globally recognized tools, including the Beery VMI for visual-motor skills and Sensory profile. These evidence-based tests provide the standardized scores required by Dubai school inclusion teams.

If your child has a noticeable speech delay, difficulty following instructions, or struggles to interact with peers, a school may request a DHA-certified evaluation. Early assessment ensures your child receives the right support, such as an Individual Education Plan (IEP).

For schools starting in September 2026, children must be 3 years old by December 31st for FS1/Pre-KG entry. If your child falls near this cut-off and shows signs of delay, schools often require a “Readiness Assessment” to ensure they are placed in the correct year group.

An OT evaluation identifies barriers to focus and regulation. Our report provides the school with “Reasonable Accommodations,” such as extra time, movement breaks, or visual schedules, ensuring your child is not unfairly penalised for their learning style.

You should book an Occupational Therapy (OT) Functional Assessment. We use the Sensory Profile™ 2 to determine if the “hyperactivity” is a sensory processing need, allowing us to provide a DHA Certified Report that recommends classroom adjustments without the need for a medical label.

If your child is not using two-word phrases by age 2, or if their speech is difficult for teachers to understand by age 3, an SLT assessment is recommended. Schools require the CELF-5 or PLS-5 scores found in our reports to plan for speech support.

An OT delay often appears as difficulty with “fine motor” tasks like using scissors, holding a pencil (pencil grip), or “gross motor” issues like bumping into furniture or poor balance. Our assessments identify these gaps specifically for school registrars.

Yes. If a child cannot follow the examiner’s instructions during a school’s internal assessment, they may be “deferred.” Bringing a DHA Certified Speech Report to the interview allows the school to see your child’s true potential through standardized clinical data.

The all-inclusive cost at Esperanza is AED 700. This is significantly more competitive than many Dubai clinics that charge much more for the same DHA-certified documentation.

At Esperanza, our 3-day fast-track process ensures you have your final report by 3-4 working days after the assessment is completed. We lead with clinical testing on Day 1 to ensure no time is wasted in meeting school admission deadlines.

Yes. Our reports meet the standards for both the KHDA (Dubai) and SPEA (Sharjah Private Education Authority). We are a popular choice for families in Al Nahda and Muwaileh due to our Karama location and affordable rates.

We use the gold-standard tools preferred by UAE schools:

  • Speech: CELF-5, PLS-5, and GFTA-3.
  • Occupational: Beery VMI, Sensory Profile 2 and DAYC 2.

Please bring your child’s Emirates ID (or passport copy), any previous nursery/school reports, and a list of your main concerns. This allows our DHA specialists to tailor the testing to your child’s specific school requirements.

The fastest way to book is via WhatsApp at +971555241094. We offer flexible slots for families across the UAE, ensuring your child’s school readiness is handled with care and professional precision.

Yes. Finding a spot is simple because there is easy parking directly surrounding the centre. Unlike other parts of Dubai, parents can always find C parking (RTA Zone C) in the immediate area, which is the most affordable and available parking zone in Karama.

Yes. In addition to the abundant street parking, there is building parking available for visitors. This ensures that you can transition your child from the car to our clinic quickly and safely, without long walks.

The area is primarily Zone C. This is highly convenient for families because it allows for longer stay durations at a lower rate compared to premium zones, giving you peace of mind during your child’s 3-day assessment.

No. We are located in a low-rise building, which is much more comfortable for children who may feel overwhelmed by large, busy towers. Being in a low-rise complex means fewer crowds, shorter elevator waits, and a much calmer, quieter environment for your child’s evaluation.

Trusted by Dubai & Sharjah Families: 5-Star School Readiness Assessments

“We were feeling so overwhelmed with the school admission process for our son in Dubai. The team was professional, the report was ready in just 3 days, and it was accepted immediately by the school’s inclusion team. It saved us so much stress and money!”

Parent from Mirdif, Dubai

“Our daughter has a speech delay and often gets anxious in big hospitals. Coming to Esperanza was a completely different experience. The low-rise building in Karama felt very ‘homey’ and calm. We loved that we could always find Zone C parking right outside, no searching for hours in a basement! The therapists made the testing feel like play, and we finally have a clear roadmap to help her start FS2 with confidence.”

Family from Al Nahda, Sharjah

“I cannot recommend Esperanza enough for their 3-day assessment. We had a last-minute requirement for an Occupational Therapy report for the school. The easy building parking made the daily trips so much easier, and the DHA certified report was detailed, professional, and very helpful for my child’s new teachers. They even made calls to my childs teachers when requested”

Parent from Bur Dubai

Read more of our parent reviews

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Ready to take the Free “First Step” Consultation

Take the first step towards unlocking your child’s potential.
 In your free 60-minute consultation, you’ll meet a licensed therapist who will listen, observe, and create a personalised growth plan — giving you clarity and hope for the journey ahead.

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