Special Needs Education in Thailand
Information about the provisions for children with special needs with details relevant to the children of foreigners in Thailand...
State-funded special needs education is provided almost exclusively for Thai children only. However, there are international schools providing special needs education for foreigners in Thailand, and some schools are run by non-profit organisations.
Legislation Concerning the Provision for Special Needs Education
Until
1975 children with disabilities tended not to be provided for within the state
system of schooling. However, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
1975 granted all children with disabilities a free, appropriate public
education. These children were provided for in special schools separated from
mainstream schools. However, Thailand is moving towards integration of children
with special needs into mainstream schools. The 1992 Disability Act has further
highlighted the need to continue to expand the provision for people with
disabilities.
The
1999 National Education Act has attempted to give more attention to special
needs education. Various ministerial departments are responsible for the
provision of particular areas of special needs education. The Division of
Special Education is within the Ministry of Education,
while the Department of General Education focuses on the deaf, the blind, and
integrated education. The Department of Non-formal education emphasises the
needs of people living in remote areas.
Special Schools
The
Ministry of Education’s Special Education Bureau has 172 schools that provide
help for parents of children with special needs. Many are government-funded and
provide education for children with Thai citizenship. Others are non-profit
organisations and are generally for children that come from disadvantaged
backgrounds and are of Thai nationality.
Special Needs Education for Non-Thais
For
non-Thais there are a number of international schools with places for children
with special needs.
The
school also provides assistance in seeking professional help for kids with a
wide range of special needs and can also assist families with children
attending other schools. Places are available for children aged two onwards.
In
Phuket, the Phuket
Punyanukul School provides education and vocational
training for children with special needs.
For
information on international schools in Thailand see:
The
organisations below can also provide help and provide information for
parents of children with special needs in Thailand.
- Acorn to Oaks Centre is an
English Speaking Centre for the evaluation of childhood development,
providing support and learning with trained teachers, occupational
therapists, speech and language pathologists and educational psychologists
At: Sukhumvit 71 Road, Bangkok
Tel: 02 711 7157-8
email
- Bangkok
Mothers and Babies International (BAMBI) offers
support and advice for parents with special needs, on their arrival in
Bangkok
- The Village Education
Centre supports special education needs
with special education teachers, after-school learning support,
psycho-educational evaluations, occupational therapy and counselling for
parents and children with special needs
At: 14 Sukhumvit Soi 42, Prakanong, Klong Tuey, Bangkok
Tel: +66 (0)2 391 4453-5
email - The Reed Institute is a
commercial organisation in Bangkok that runs programmes for children with
dyslexia, ADHD/ADD, behavioural and social skills problems as well as many
other special needs
At: Sukhumvit Soi 38, Bangkok
Tel: 02 391 0107 - The Father Ray Foundation is a
non-profit making group that runs schools specifically for children with
special needs, including a school for the deaf and a school for the
blind
- The Rainbow
Room
A special needs awareness centre and support group for parents who have children with behavioural and developmental challenges including Down syndrome, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorder and other special needs. At: 30 Soi Saengchai Sukhumvit 38, Bangkok.
Tel: 086 770 0845
email - LEAP (Learning
Education Advocacy Program): Parent-run group that serves as a point of
contact for parents in need of support, referrals and information
concerning their children’s special needs including learning disabilities,
developmental delays, sensory integration and autism.
email - Little
Sprouts Children's Centre
Private organisation for children with special needs and their families, in both Thai and English. Individual/group therapy, speech therapy, OT/SI, IEP development and management, assessment, and consultation.
At: 109/1 Soi Thonglor 5, Sukhumvit 55
Tel: 02 712 5205 / 086 0033 882
Fax: 02 712 6835
email - British Early Years Centre
Provides specialist classes of English and Maths for children with special needs.
Tel: 02 616 9342 / 082 794 3710
email - Rose Marie Academy American Curriculum institute that accepts students from 18 months
- 18 years, including those with additional learning, behavioural and
emotional needs. At: P.O.Box
18, 39/932-933 Soi Nichada Thani, Samakee Road, Pakkret, Nonthaburi,
11120
Tel: 02
960 3663 email