Early Childhood
If your child is younger than 3 years old and has been diagnosed with ASD or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, they can receive early childhood education. This program can be carried out either at home through family education and support or at schools as deemed necessary. The planning and coordination of the teaching program is done by the Board of Special Education Services under CRCs.
Pre-school
If your child is between the ages of 3-6, they can receive pre-school special education. Pre-school education is mandatory for children who need special education. Children between the ages of 37-66 months receive this education at Special Education Pre-Schools; those aged between 48-66 months are taught in special classrooms called “kindergartens,” which are available in special education schools and institutions. The compulsory pre-school education age limit can be raised up to 78 months for children needing special education who are registered in the e-school system, on the basis of Special Education Evaluation Board Report and timing of “end of September” semester start. District/City Special Education Services Departments place the child in the appropriate program upon the guardian or parent’s application. If possible, pre-school education commences in integrated nurseries or kindergartens, alongside children with typical development. Those children who cannot remain in integrated programs continue on to pre-school special education institutions or special education classrooms.
Primary School
If you child is aged between 6-10, they can attend school with typically developing children at an integrated primary school. Where this is not possible, the child can continue at a Special Education Application Center or a special education classroom within a regular primary school.
With compulsory education being extended to 12 years, the starting age for primary school became 66 months, however those children who require special education can continue to be in pre-school until 78 months, whereby these children are allowed to start primary school on the 79th month of their lives.
Middle School
If your child is between 10-14 years old and has a primary school diploma, they may be able to continue on to integrated programs together with their peers, in general or vocational institutions. When this is not possible, the child can continue at a Special Education Application Center or a special education classroom within a regular middle school.
High School
If your child is aged between 15-23 and has a middle school diploma, they may attend a general or vocational high school in an integrated program together with their peers or in a special education classroom within a regular high school. Where these options are not possible, they may attend a Special Education Vocational Practice Center.
Because middle school education is now compulsory, children who need special education that are of compulsory education age may receive this education at home or at a hospital; hospital primary schools will be rearranged into “hospital classrooms” of primary, middle and high school levels.
Those children with ASD who fall outside the remit of compulsory education and are unable to participate in general education programs may attend vocational courses of various subjects and lengths in order to acquire basic life skills, adapt to society, and obtain vocational and professional proficiency. Additionally, families can request the creation of suitable classes for their kids at local community education centers, from their District Governorships.
