Special educational needs that affect a child’s ability to learn can include their:

• behaviour or ability to socialise, eg not being able to make friends

• reading and writing, eg they have dyslexia

• ability to understand things

• concentration levels, eg they have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• physical needs or impairments

 

The Special Needs Education Services of the Ministry of Education ensure that provision is made for students experiencing any of the following challenges:

 

Autism, visual impairment, hearing impairment, speech and language impairment, physical impairment, learning difficulties, mental challenges and giftedness.

 

The Special Needs Education Services focuses on the identification of students for placement through multidisciplinary evaluation.  Provision is made for students to be assisted with devices such as hearing aids.  

 

Special Needs Education is addressed in three ways: 

1. in the regular classroom,

2. in the special classroom in the regular school 

3. in the special unit or special education school.  

 

At present, Special Education services are provided in specially equipped classrooms (Special Units) in eight (8) public primary schools.

 

Children who are deaf or hearing impaired, blind or visually impaired attend The Irving Wilson School.

 

The Ann Hill School caters to secondary school age children with global developmental delays and other disabilities. 

 

Placements in these programmes are facilitated through the Student Services Support Section in the Ministry of Education  and Human Resource Development. 

Applications must reach the Section by March 31st for admissions to take effect in September.