Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, PhD, MSc

Dr. Ben Hadj Hassine

The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center (DDY)

Dr. Ben Hadj Hassine, CEO and Managing Director in DDY, has over 30 years of extensive experience in business development and entrepreneurial management across Europe. Dr. Ben is an innovative entrepreneur and results-driven leader focused on achieving exceptional results in highly competitive environments that demand continuous improvement. Astute strategist with an extensive record of building and aligning organizations to achieve excellence, unparalleled client service and skilled relationship builder. He lives with a positive aura, always thinking positive.

As someone who likes to lead by example, Dr. Ben Hadj is a firm believer in capacity building and empowerment of all people. For him, good leadership is not always about being in charge. It’s about empowering and encouraging others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more. He takes care of his employees and inspire his team in becoming the best version of themselves.

Driven by his passion to build and enable a better quality of life for individuals on the autism spectrum, Dr. Ben established The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center (DDY) as one of the leading and most reputable specialized therapeutic service providers in the field of autism and a wide range of other developmental disorders in 2014. Under his insightful leadership, DDY further gained recognition, not just in the GCC, but also across the globe. Today, the center is proudly catering to more than 300 families, many of whom have specifically came to the UAE to receive treatment from DDY and have been successfully enrolled in mainstream schools after the treatment. Through Dr. Ben’s leadership style and value centric approach, a client shares, “People admire his positivity, tenacity, constancy and emotional intelligence. When he comes into your life, he turns you into a better person, you can’t help it.” Such testimonials undoubtedly give a clear picture of how his people describe him as a leader.

Guided by Dr. Ben’s exemplary leadership, strong values, customer-oriented philosophy and with a strong belief in this statement, “If a child can’t learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach them the way they learn!” DDY and himself has been awarded on multiple occasions and by notable magazine companies including:

• DHCA Excellence Awards 2020 – Winner of Outpatient Clinics Award, 1st Place in Rehabilitation Center Category
• DHCA Excellence Awards 2019 – Winner of Healthcare Innovation Award, 2nd Place in Outpatient Clinics Category
• Al Khaleej Times 2020 – “Gulf Leaders 2020” Dr. Ben was featured as one of the leading CEOs and leaders in the Gulf region
• Gulf Entrepreneur 2022 – “10 Most Dynamic Healthcare Entrepreneurs from Gulf” Dr. Ben was recognized as one of the healthcare entrepreneurs who have demonstrated the ability to lead the healthcare industry to its new era of patient empowerment

In honor of winning the Excellence Awards for two consecutive years, Dr. Ben Hadj said that “This is a proud moment for us as it took us almost five years to reach this platform. Five years of hard work and many success stories. We feel so blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of so many gifted children.”

With strategic growth plans, value-added service, and commitment to helping people share who they are with the world, Dr. Ben Hadj, together with his amazing DDY Team is set to prove that DDY is surely an Expertise That Cares.

Administrative Director

Marina Loukas

Head of Quality

Reham Yousef

Reham is the Quality Representative, responsible for ensuring the highest standards of services as well as staff compliance with the Center’s policies and procedures. Reham holds a degree in Healthcare Management, and her experience spans three years in the UAE’s health sector. In her career, she has worked in various capacities such as Customer Services Representative, Insurance Coordinator and Quality Representative. A former employee of the American Center for Psychiatry & Neurology, she brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center her background in dealing with clients from different nationalities and enhancing clients’ experience. She has lived in the UAE all her life and her interests are to obtain the Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) certificate, increase awareness on mental health, and exercise.

Client Relations Manager

Hadeel Haj

Hadeel Haj is the Client Relations Manager, building positive and productive relationships with clients. Hadeel holds a degree in Public Relations and Communication. Over the past 3.5 years, she has built a strong understanding of customer service and client relations in the UAE her work in public relations. She has lived in the UAE for 27 years. She enjoys producing creative content for social media.

Clinical Director/BCBA

Inas Ktaech

Inas is the Clinical Director and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who oversees clinical operations, ensuring adherence to company policy and procedures, and compliance with evidence-based practice. In her role, she liaises with parents and school providers, and promotes and implements parent/ caregiver training.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) with a specialization in developmental disabilities from Canada and her experience spans more than 15 years in the field of ABA in Toronto, Canada.

In her career, she has worked in various capacities such as School Support Consultant, ABA Supervisor, Clinical Supervisor, Program Manager and Clinical Director.

A former employee of Surrey Place Center in Canada she brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center her strong background in ABA and autism care.

She believes everyone has a right to learn and it brings her great joy to see progress, knowing she has helped improve the quality of life for the individual and the family.

She has lived in Canada for most of her life and moved to the UAE a few years ago. She loves being with her family and friends, and enjoys reading, discovering new restaurants, living a healthy lifestyle, and swimming.

Publications

• Kidd, S.A., Bullard, C., Cleverly, K., & Ktaech, I. (November, 2007). Mental health intervention among homeless youths: A longitudinal examination. 6th International Conference on Urban Health, Baltimore, MD.
• Grow, L. L., Carr, J. E., Gunby, K. V., Charania, S. M., Gonsalves, L., Ktaech, I. A., & Kisamore, A. N. (2009) An evaluation of the effects of treatment integrity failures on acquisition during instruction using the system of least prompts with children with autism. Journal of Behavioral Education, 2, 142-156.
• Charania, S.M., Leblanc, L.A., Ktaech, I.A., Sabanathan, N., Carr, J.E., and Gunby, K.V. (2010). Teaching effective hand raising to children with Autism during group instruction. Journal of Applied Behavioural Anaylsis, 43, 493-497.

Case Manager/BCaBA

Nikki De Leon

Nikki is a Case Manager and a Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA), responsible for conducting behavior assessments, analyzing data, training, and writing and overseeing treatment plans.She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing with units in Special Education from the Philippines and has completed her Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) coursework and certification from the Florida Institute of Technology, USA. She has worked for more than eight years in the ABA field in the Philippines and UAE in roles including ABA Therapist and Case Supervisor, and Registered Behavior Technician (RBT).Prior to joining The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, she worked at Teamworks Behavioral Therapy in the Philippines. Working with individuals living with autism has made her see the world in a different perspective. She believes that every child has the capacity to learn. She has lived in the UAE for five years, and enjoys baking, reading, sports, and outdoor activities.

Case Manager/QBA

Gerard Kein Palmero

Gerard is a Case Manager, responsible for conducting behavior assessments, analyzing data, training, and writing and overseeing treatment plans.

Completed his Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) coursework from Florida Institute of Technology, USA. His experience spans more than 11 years in the special needs education and ABA industry in the Philippines and UAE.

In his previous roles, he worked as lead Special Education Teacher, ABA Therapist and Case Manager. He is a former employee of Independent Living Learning Center and brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center his experience in teaching independent living and vocational skills.

He believes in providing the best behavioral services for People of Determination so they can achieve a better quality of life.

He has lived in the UAE for eight years and enjoys sketching and fitness.

LSA Supervisor/BCaBA

Ghina Saab

Ghina Saab is an LSA supervisor, responsible for: managing client’s transitioning to school setting, supervising learning support assistants at school, communicating with the SEN department at school, and training learning support assistants in supporting their students in a class setting.Ghina holds a degree in Education and she is a board certified assistant behavior analyst andher experience spans more than 13 years in the Applied Behavior Analysis in both Lebanon and UAE.In her career, she has worked in various capacities such as an ABA therapist and case manager. A former employee of Stepping Stones, she brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center her strong background in applying ABA skills in both one on one sessions and in school settings.Working with individuals with autism is important to her because every milestone is a celebration. She has lived in the UAE for 7 years. Her interests are meditation and baking.

Receptionist

Bernalynd Gunabe

Bernalynd is a Receptionist at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center. She is responsible for arranging client’s schedules based on the BCBA recommendation hours and services such as ABA, Speech, Occupational and Physical Therapy. She organizes the therapists’ schedule, coordinating with the BCBA as required. She is also a trained and certified first aider.

Berna holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and her experience spans for almost 10 years in the health industry in the Philippines and UAE.

In her career, she has worked in various capacities including a medical representative where she familiarized herself with trends and practices in the medical field, and medications. She is a former employee of Interphil Laboratories, Inc.

She has lived in the UAE for almost five years. Her interests are reading books, watching movies in different languages and learning different cultures.

Receptionist

Rowena Amor

Rowena is a Receptionist at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center, responsible for handling client’s request, queries and complaints via phone and email, managing office supplies as well as receiving and dispatching deliveries. She also provides support to the HR and Accounts Departments. Rowena holds Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management, and her experience spans more than five years in hospitality and special needs sectors in the Philippines and UAE. In her career, she has worked in various capacities, handling responsibilities such as bookings, reservations, checkins, and events. A former employee of Citystate Asturias Hotel, she brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center her background in customer service and hospitality management. She believes we, as a society, need to develop a deeper understanding of autism as well as empathize better with those living with the condition. She has lived in the UAE for three years, and her interests are cooking, dancing and watching documentaries.

Receptionist

Rose Ann Geloso

Rose Ann is a Receptionist at The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center responsible for greeting visitors / patients, handling queries, maintaining the patients’ medical records and files and supporting other clerical functions.

Rose Ann holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse in the Philippines where her experience spans more than seven years.

In her career, she has worked in various capacities such as a dental nurse, clinic-out-patient nurse, company nurse and sales associate. She is a former employee of Sta. Rosa Hospital Medical Center
 
She has lived in the UAE for six years. Her interests are reading books, cooking, watching movies, travel, playing volleyball and spending time with her family.

Receptionist / Client Relations

Raghda Abushanab

Raghda is a Receptionist at The Doris DuanYoung Autism Center. In her capacity she builds client relations and collaborates with clinical teams. She also addresses concerns and complaints, scheduling follow-up meetings to ensure client satisfaction. Raghda holds a Degree in Hotel & Tourism Management and her experience spans more than 11 years in various roles within administrative, client relations, and HR in Sudan and the UAE. She has worked at Via Technology International, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre where her responsibilities included handling executive appointments and managing information flow for internal and external communication. For her, working with individuals living with autism is deeply rewarding, learning every day from children who experience the world differently and to get to see the world from a perspective that is different from her own. She has lived in the UAE for almost seven years, and her interests are riding horses, listening to music and reading about fashion.

Case Manager/BCBA

Ikram Buralle

Ikram Buralle is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst responsible for providing services in Applied Behavior Analysis, conducting assessments, completing client reports and supervising RBTs.
Ikram holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State University and her experience spans more than 4 years in the ABA industry in Toronto Canada.
In her career, she has worked in various capacities such as an Early intervention therapist, ABA therapist and Manager of Developmental Services.
A former employee of Strides Toronto she brings to The Doris Duan-Young Autism Center her strong background in ABA, Autism Spectrum Disorder and Respite services.
Working with individuals with autism is important to her because she believes every person deserves access to treatment than can provide them with the skills, they need to live an independent and fulfilling life.
She has lived in the Toronto, Canada most of her life and has recently moved to the UAE.
Her interests are watching sports, learning languages and spending time with friends and family.