Special Needs Education in Thailand

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Special Needs Education 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

There are a number of special 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.

St Andrew's International School has a Special Education Needs Support Centre to provide educationally gifted or challenged children with extra support. Children are integrated into mainstream classrooms and provided with appropriate levels of support. The St Andrew's Rayong Campus has a Learning Support Department for children with learning dificulties.

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.

For information on international schools in Thailand see:

• The International Schools Association of Thailand (ISAT)

The organisations below can also provide help and provide information for parents of children with special needs in Thailand.

• 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: Sukhumvit Soi 42, Bangkok
    Tel: 02 391 4453
    e-mail 
• 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
    e-mail
    Website
• The Fr. 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
• e-mail
  Website
• Acorn to Oaks Centre is a commercial 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
  Website

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