Special Needs Schools in Singapore

[anthonybongos]

Hi, I wonder if someone can help me please? I am considering moving to Singapore for work. My biggest issue is schooling for my 8 year old disabled son. He is both mentally and physically disabled. I understand there are state supported schools, so I need permanent residency for those schools, but that takes 6 months to get right? Are there any private schools for kids with special needs? I dont mean schoold for kids with mild learning difficulties, I mean schools for kids with severe learning difficulties. I'm coming to Singapore around the 18th June with my wife, so I could really do with arranging some appointments with these schools if they exist!! Can anyone help?
Many thanks for your time,
Ant[/b]

[micknlea]

You can try Genesis school on West Coast, it deals specifically with special needs kids, most of whom are international. Dover Court is a mainstream International School but has a big special needs department within the school, they do an assessment to determine if they are able to assist you.

Otherwise there are the local special schools, you can get in to them without permanent residency, however as a foreigner you are placed behind the locals on the waiting lists. It is not however impossible to get in, and can be worth contacting them.

There are also organisations here for most disabilities etc and they may be able to direct you to the best places. I canonly suggest you google the particular disability for singapore and see what comes up.

[madisonb]

Hi there,
We also have a 9 yr old with severe special needs and found that Dover Court has a waiting list of 1-2 years. That's as far as we got with them. We contacted Genesis and found them to be helpful, informative and receptive to our needs. I would recommend you contact Lisa Barron the principal and speak to her. If you would like to visit I think you may have to visit prior to 18 June as the summer break starts to 13 July but check with Lisa. I can appreciate how concerned you are as we were and really without Lisa's help we would not have been able to transfer in July. Good luck!

[foong70]

Yes, Lisa Barron is amazing, she has done so much for special kids and their families.

[micknlea]

Genesis school year finishes on 1 June, and returns on 30 July. They are looking at running summer school for mid June- mid July I think, so there should be someone there in the office for most of the time. You need to ring them, don't recommend emailing as they are not too efficient in that regard.

Try Dover Court though, you never know. Keep all your options open.