The Superpower of Sleep for School-Aged Children

The Developing Child Centre (TDCC) invites parents, educators, and professionals to join an informative online webinar on sleep and child development, led by Joanne Thomas, Head of Occupational Services in Abu Dhabi.

Sleep plays a vital role in a child’s brain development, emotional regulation, academic performance, and overall wellbeing. However, many school-aged children in Dubai and across the UAE experience sleep challenges that affect their attention, learning capacity, and behavior in school.

In this expert-led session, participants will gain evidence-based insights into how healthy sleep routines can significantly improve children’s mental health, focus, and long-term developmental outcomes. This webinar is particularly valuable for families of children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing differences, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Webinar Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will:

1. Understand age-appropriate sleep needs for school-aged children

2. Recognize common childhood sleep disturbances and their impact on cognition, learning, and behavior

3. Learn practical, occupational therapy-based strategies to support healthy sleep routines at home

This session provides actionable strategies that parents and educators in the UAE can immediately implement to support children’s academic success and emotional wellbeing.

About the Speaker

Joanne Thomas is a senior Occupational Therapist with over 26 years of international experience across the UK, New Zealand, Australia, and the UAE. She specializes in sensory integration, sensory modulation, and trauma-informed interventions for children and adolescents.

Currently completing advanced CLASI Ayres Sensory Integration training, Joanne has extensive expertise in supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and complex developmental needs.

After completing advanced training and mentorship in sleep assessment and intervention for children with autism and developmental disabilities in Australia, Joanne became deeply committed to raising awareness about the powerful role of sleep in child development. She is passionate about sharing practical, evidence-based strategies that can positively transform children’s mental wellbeing, educational performance, and overall health — because sleep truly is a superpower.