Dubai Health is strengthening its “Patients First” promise with the launch of Blue Café, an initiative aimed at improving autism care for children. The colour blue, symbolizing calmness, understanding, and stability, is internationally associated with autism awareness. Blue Café leverages Dubai Health’s expertise and resources to offer learning materials and fund research initiatives dedicated to enhancing autism care.
Conceived as a ‘living lab’ within the community, Blue Café provides an interactive and supportive environment where parents and caregivers can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Initially launched as a clinical consultation program at Al Jalila Children’s Hospital, Blue Café recognizes that a new autism diagnosis can be overwhelming for families, often leaving them feeling uncertain and isolated. Now expanded under Dubai Health, the initiative aims to elevate autism care through active community participation and the integrated academic health system’s benefits.
Experts within Dubai Health have developed concise, research-informed content on a wide range of autism care topics, presented in a user-friendly microlearning format. These bite-sized pieces of knowledge allow families to easily incorporate learning into their busy schedules. The platform will also host webinars, translating the latest research insights into practical care strategies. Beyond information, Blue Café offers a safe online community forum where families can connect, ask questions, and share valuable insights.
Looking ahead, Blue Café is preparing to open a physical café in Dubai, providing a welcoming space for families and caregivers to gather. All proceeds from this café will directly fund research initiatives to improve autism care.
Professor Nabil Zary, Senior Director of the Institute of Learning at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, stated, “Blue Café was created to support the well-being of children with autism. We are proud to launch this first-of-its-kind living lab, combining research with real-world community experiences. Generous donor support will enable us to establish a physical café, ensuring the project’s sustainability and continued impact.”
