How to Choose the Right School for My Child with Special Needs

One key element that clearly represents and separates the school is the values.

A supportive and enriching environment plays a crucial role in the healthy growth and development of children. The right school aids in honing the child’s cognitive, social and emotional abilities that they require through adulthood. All parents would want the best for their child and the decision in choosing the right school can be a daunting experience. 

At present, there are 25 government-funded SPED schools in Singapore which are run by social services agencies. SPED schools develop a holistic curriculum designed to develop skills that are useful beyond their schooling years. They offer either the national or customized curriculum. The national curriculum is similar to the mainstream curriculum where PSLE and GCE examinations are offered. The customized curriculum, on the other hand, addresses specific needs based on the child’s profile. It equips students with the necessary skills needed for home, community and work settings (Ministry of Education, 2025). 

Some factors to consider when choosing schools: 

Class size and teacher-to-student ratio:

Smaller class sizes equate to more individualized attention a child gets and teachers may be better able to cater to the needs of the child (Denisehenry, 2025). 

Facilities:

Schools should have facilities that can help address the child’s needs and help navigate their condition. This includes therapy rooms, sensory rooms or adapted physical education facilities. Some children may also require visual aids as a reminder of routines and expectations. 

Individualized education plan (IEPs):

A customized roadmap that outlines the child’s personal learning objectives and strategies which the school will implement. Ideally, it would be good to collaborate with the child's therapist to develop a well-suited plan and also track the child’s progress and changing needs. 

Partnership, integration and environment:

Some SPED schools partner with mainstream schools for certain activities. This provides the opportunity of exposure to interactions with others, fosters inclusivity and mutual understanding. These help to boost confidence. A child with special needs may not necessarily be placed in a SPED setting and may be able to excel in an inclusive setting. This encourages integration and socialization. It is also important to consider the learning profile of the child as some children may require additional support which not all schools offer. 

Strengths-based approach:

We often look at the cons of the school rather than the pros. We should try flipping the approach and consider the child’s strengths. Try finding schools that cater to these strengths which the child could excel in. If the child loves art and could be an area where the child can excel and thrive in, search for programs that might benefit the child to develop and excel in the future (Neiberger-Miller, n.d.). 

These factors concern the child’s future so parents should not be afraid to ask questions. It is necessary to find out the culture and protocols of the school, and how children with behavioral issues are being handled. For example, if the child runs out of the classroom, what do the teachers do? If physical restraint is required, under what circumstances is this carried out? What happens after the child is restrained? (Neiberger-Miller, n.d.). 

It can be challenging to make a decision. Sometimes parents may find a school that has the child’s best interests at heart but not offer the needed programmes. It is important for parents to look at specific schools to see what they have to offer, especially with the diversity in curriculums amongst schools before narrowing down the best choices to make an informed decision. One key element that clearly represents and separates the school is the values. This sets a benchmark for how successful the school’s vision is embedded into the community and values inculcated impacts students. 

Written by: Keisha 

References 

Canva. (n.d.). Photo. https://www.canva.com/photos/MAGZIVWzTmo/

Denisehenry. (2025). Choosing a school for your child with special needs: 4 questions you should ask. Summit Academy Schools. Retrieved from https://summitacademies.org/parma/2025/03/20/selecting-a-school-for-your-child-with-special-education-needs-4-questions-you-should-ask/ 

Ministry of Education. (2025). How does MOE support students with special educational needs (SEN). Retrieved from https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/edtalks/how-does-moe-support-students-with-special-educational-needs

Neiberger-Miller, A. (n.d.). 11 tips for selecting a school for your child with special needs. CES Academy – Championing Students. https://www.ces-schools.net/11-tips-for-selecting-a-school-for-your-child-with-special-needs/