Learn about SAUT Down Syndrome Association and our journey in empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families
1986
Year of Founding
First early intervention centre in Riyadh
Arabic Curricula
First in the Arab World
First specialised educational curricula in Arabic
2000
International Recognition
First model centre in the Middle East
Our Vision
A supportive and empowering community for individuals with Down syndrome
Our Mission
Empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families through specialised programmes and services
SAUT was established in response to an urgent need in Saudi society for specialised services for individuals with Down syndrome, initiated by HRH Princess Reema bint Sultan, to become today's leading institution in the region.
A supportive and empowering community for individuals with Down syndrome
Empowering individuals with Down syndrome and their families through specialised programmes and services
Transparency, Excellence, Teamwork, Respect, and Innovation
Providing comprehensive and integrated services that contribute to improving the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome
Numbers that reflect four decades of giving
Educational Team Members Trained
Students Served
Graduates Who Achieved Independence
Educational Programs
Students Benefiting from Services
Years of Service
Training Lectures for Specialists and Parents
Trained Teachers
Consultancy Visits from Global Universities
International and local recognition reflecting SAUT's excellence
NDSS — New York
Recognition for pioneering care for individuals with Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Audio Reading Programme won this prestigious award
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Audio Reading Programme won this prestigious award
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Audio Reading Programme won this prestigious award
King Khalid Foundation
Excellence in the non-profit sector
WHO — Eastern Mediterranean Region
Recognition for excellence in Down syndrome research and education in the Middle East region
Key milestones in SAUT's journey
Under the direction of HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan, Mrs. Erika Kovroth Al-Sabaan submitted a request to establish an early intervention center in Riyadh due to the lack of specialized services for individuals with Down syndrome.
Under the direction of HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan, Mrs. Erika Kovroth Al-Sabaan submitted a request to establish an early intervention center in Riyadh due to the lack of specialized services for individuals with Down syndrome.
Under the direction of HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan, Mrs. Erika Kovroth Al-Sabaan submitted a request to establish an early intervention center in Riyadh due to the lack of specialized services for individuals with Down syndrome.
Under the direction of HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan, Mrs. Erika Kovroth Al-Sabaan submitted a request to establish an early intervention center in Riyadh due to the lack of specialized services for individuals with Down syndrome.
With the initiative of HRH Princess Sara bint Faisal and HRH Princess Moudi bint Khalid, the first classroom for children with Down syndrome opened at Al-Nahda Women's Association with just four children.
With the initiative of HRH Princess Sara bint Faisal and HRH Princess Moudi bint Khalid, the first classroom for children with Down syndrome opened at Al-Nahda Women's Association with just four children.
With the initiative of HRH Princess Sara bint Faisal and HRH Princess Moudi bint Khalid, the first classroom for children with Down syndrome opened at Al-Nahda Women's Association with just four children.
With the initiative of HRH Princess Sara bint Faisal and HRH Princess Moudi bint Khalid, the first classroom for children with Down syndrome opened at Al-Nahda Women's Association with just four children.
Enrollment at the early intervention center in Al-Wurud reached 40 children within two years, expanding to include infant services and preschool programs.
Enrollment at the early intervention center in Al-Wurud reached 40 children within two years, expanding to include infant services and preschool programs.
Enrollment at the early intervention center in Al-Wurud reached 40 children within two years, expanding to include infant services and preschool programs.
Enrollment at the early intervention center in Al-Wurud reached 40 children within two years, expanding to include infant services and preschool programs.
The center relocated to the Diplomatic Quarter and was named Al-Nahda Schools for Down Syndrome.
The center relocated to the Diplomatic Quarter and was named Al-Nahda Schools for Down Syndrome.
The center relocated to the Diplomatic Quarter and was named Al-Nahda Schools for Down Syndrome.
The center relocated to the Diplomatic Quarter and was named Al-Nahda Schools for Down Syndrome.
Patricia Oelwein from the University of Washington visited and agreed to provide ongoing consultancy to develop a specialized educational program through six model programs.
Patricia Oelwein from the University of Washington visited and agreed to provide ongoing consultancy to develop a specialized educational program through six model programs.
Patricia Oelwein from the University of Washington visited and agreed to provide ongoing consultancy to develop a specialized educational program through six model programs.
Patricia Oelwein from the University of Washington visited and agreed to provide ongoing consultancy to develop a specialized educational program through six model programs.
Formal training began by physical therapist Mary Tatarka and special education consultant Patricia Oelwein under the leadership of Fatima Malek.
Formal training began by physical therapist Mary Tatarka and special education consultant Patricia Oelwein under the leadership of Fatima Malek.
Formal training began by physical therapist Mary Tatarka and special education consultant Patricia Oelwein under the leadership of Fatima Malek.
Formal training began by physical therapist Mary Tatarka and special education consultant Patricia Oelwein under the leadership of Fatima Malek.
A new campus was added for middle school, high school, and vocational training for girls. Student enrollment rose to 76, and a speech-language specialist joined the advisory team.
A new campus was added for middle school, high school, and vocational training for girls. Student enrollment rose to 76, and a speech-language specialist joined the advisory team.
A new campus was added for middle school, high school, and vocational training for girls. Student enrollment rose to 76, and a speech-language specialist joined the advisory team.
A new campus was added for middle school, high school, and vocational training for girls. Student enrollment rose to 76, and a speech-language specialist joined the advisory team.
Arabic-language curricula were completed for all levels: elementary, middle, and high school.
Arabic-language curricula were completed for all levels: elementary, middle, and high school.
Arabic-language curricula were completed for all levels: elementary, middle, and high school.
Arabic-language curricula were completed for all levels: elementary, middle, and high school.
A third kindergarten building opened, housing the boys' section for middle school, high school, and vocational training.
A third kindergarten building opened, housing the boys' section for middle school, high school, and vocational training.
A third kindergarten building opened, housing the boys' section for middle school, high school, and vocational training.
A third kindergarten building opened, housing the boys' section for middle school, high school, and vocational training.
The schools became the first model training center for Down syndrome in the Middle East, aligned with Saudi culture and environment.
The schools became the first model training center for Down syndrome in the Middle East, aligned with Saudi culture and environment.
The schools became the first model training center for Down syndrome in the Middle East, aligned with Saudi culture and environment.
The schools became the first model training center for Down syndrome in the Middle East, aligned with Saudi culture and environment.
The book "Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome" was translated into Arabic, becoming the first of its kind in the Arabic language.
The book "Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome" was translated into Arabic, becoming the first of its kind in the Arabic language.
The book "Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome" was translated into Arabic, becoming the first of its kind in the Arabic language.
The book "Teaching Reading to Children with Down Syndrome" was translated into Arabic, becoming the first of its kind in the Arabic language.
Enrollment reached 171 students with 805 on the waiting list, making expansion critical. McKinsey conducted a strategic analysis to help SAUT reach 45% of individuals with Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia.
Enrollment reached 171 students with 805 on the waiting list, making expansion critical. McKinsey conducted a strategic analysis to help SAUT reach 45% of individuals with Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia.
Enrollment reached 171 students with 805 on the waiting list, making expansion critical. McKinsey conducted a strategic analysis to help SAUT reach 45% of individuals with Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia.
Enrollment reached 171 students with 805 on the waiting list, making expansion critical. McKinsey conducted a strategic analysis to help SAUT reach 45% of individuals with Down syndrome in Saudi Arabia.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean awarded SAUT the Down Syndrome Research and Education Award in recognition of its outstanding work.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean awarded SAUT the Down Syndrome Research and Education Award in recognition of its outstanding work.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean awarded SAUT the Down Syndrome Research and Education Award in recognition of its outstanding work.
The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean awarded SAUT the Down Syndrome Research and Education Award in recognition of its outstanding work.
Construction began on the first strategic plan campus in Hittin, Riyadh, with a capacity of 300 students.
Construction began on the first strategic plan campus in Hittin, Riyadh, with a capacity of 300 students.
Construction began on the first strategic plan campus in Hittin, Riyadh, with a capacity of 300 students.
Construction began on the first strategic plan campus in Hittin, Riyadh, with a capacity of 300 students.
The vocational training-to-employment program graduated 12 employees.
The vocational training-to-employment program graduated 12 employees.
The vocational training-to-employment program graduated 12 employees.
The vocational training-to-employment program graduated 12 employees.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef assumed honorary presidency, with all schools named after him. HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan was selected as Board Chair.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef assumed honorary presidency, with all schools named after him. HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan was selected as Board Chair.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef assumed honorary presidency, with all schools named after him. HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan was selected as Board Chair.
HRH Prince Mohammed bin Nayef assumed honorary presidency, with all schools named after him. HRH Princess Rima bint Sultan was selected as Board Chair.
A cooperation agreement was signed with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US to advance Down syndrome services in Saudi Arabia.
A cooperation agreement was signed with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US to advance Down syndrome services in Saudi Arabia.
A cooperation agreement was signed with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US to advance Down syndrome services in Saudi Arabia.
A cooperation agreement was signed with the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) in the US to advance Down syndrome services in Saudi Arabia.
SAUT was honored at the 31st Annual Gala of the National Down Syndrome Society in New York City.
SAUT was honored at the 31st Annual Gala of the National Down Syndrome Society in New York City.
SAUT was honored at the 31st Annual Gala of the National Down Syndrome Society in New York City.
SAUT was honored at the 31st Annual Gala of the National Down Syndrome Society in New York City.
The association's strategy was updated to align with Saudi Vision 2030 and address emerging needs and developments.
The association's strategy was updated to align with Saudi Vision 2030 and address emerging needs and developments.
The association's strategy was updated to align with Saudi Vision 2030 and address emerging needs and developments.
The association's strategy was updated to align with Saudi Vision 2030 and address emerging needs and developments.
Our strategic plan aligns the goals of Vision 2030 with SAUT's initiatives to empower individuals with Down syndrome educationally, professionally, and socially.
“Be the Solution, Not the Exception”
Our Official Documents
View the commercial registration of SAUT Down Syndrome Association
Our Partnerships
Join our partners and help empower people with Down Syndrome
