Finding the right school for your child plays a key role in your child’s development. For parents with special needs children, it’s even more crucial to find a school that caters to your child’s needs. Hence the need to enroll them in schools for special needs children.
The best way to ensure children with disabilities are able to function independently as they get older is by equipping them with the right skills while they are young. With the right tools, people with special needs can lead a normal and productive life proving that disability is not inability.
Whether physical or mental, special needs children should be enrolled in the right schools that offer specialized education for their needs. Here are some great schools for special needs children in Kenya.
Treeside Special School
Founded in 1991, Treeside Special School has helped thousands of children with mental disabilities such as autism and Down’s syndrome to learn and develop social skills that help them later in life. It’s located in Kasarani and offers both day and boarding options. Additionally, it’s a government school making the school fees affordable for low-income families.
Thika School For The Visually Impaired
This is one of the most known institutions of learning for special needs children. As the name suggests, it specializes in education for visually impaired children. The children learn how to use braille to read and write. Apart from the school syllabus, students also engage in extracurricular activities that nurture their talents outside of the classroom. The school offers education from kindergarten to high school with subsidized fees since it is a government sponsored institution.
Joyland Special School For Physically Handicapped
Located in Kisumu, Joyland Special School was started in 1974 by the Salvation Army to provide education and care for children with physical disabilities. The school offers facilities that are easily accessible to children with physical disabilities. It also offers surgery and physiotherapy services to correct limb deformities where possible. The school’s goal is to prepare students for vocational training in the future and to enable them to join mainstream schools.
Jacaranda Special School
Love and compassion are very important for children with special needs. Jacaranda Special School is described as a place filled with joy and inspiration. The school specializes in education for children with mild to severe cases of autism, Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome and other mental disabilities. Children in this institution engage in a wide range of extra curricular activities that not only boost their overall well-being but also boost their social skills. It’s a government sponsored primary school with boarding facilities.
Mirema Special School
Mirema Special School is a privately owned, day and boarding primary school for special needs children with both physical and mental disabilities such as autism, vision and hearing impairment, and mild cerebral palsy. The school also accommodates mainstream learners and gives special needs students a chance to integrate into the mainstream curriculum depending on their performance. They offer a vibrant learning environment that nurtures the students abilities both in class and outside.
Kiambui School For The Deaf
Depending on the severity of their impairment, some children with hearing impairment can attend mainstream school if they use hearing devices. However, it’s important for teachers to still pay close attention to them and offer additional assistance. For those who require specialized assistance, it’s best to take them to institutions with teachers who are specially trained to teach deaf children. Kiambui School for The Deaf is one of the leading schools for children with hearing impairment. It’s a boarding only primary school for both boys and girls. It’s also government sponsored making the school fees affordable for low income families.
Holmeside School
Holmeside School is a renowned school for special needs children. They offer specialized education that target a wide range of mental disabilities including autism, dyslexia and ADHD. They follow an adapted version of the British curriculum which is built upon understanding each child’s needs and unique capabilities. The school offers both day and boarding options. They also offer therapy programs and vocational training for their students.
Pwani School for Mentally Challenged
Located in Nyali, Pwani School for Mentally Challenged is a public primary school that provides specialized education for children who have intellectual disabilities. Students receive more individual attention which allows them to discover their strengths and develop self confidence. The school offers boarding facilities for up to 120 students.
Kenya Community Center for Learning
This non-profit institution provides alternative education for people with learning disabilities such as dyslexia, Communication Disorders and Emotional Disorders between the ages 6-21. The school provides a curriculum that prepares students for the IGCSE exams or vocational training. By using a multi-sensory and sequential approach, the educators aim to help learners become more self-reliant and productive in society.
Port Reitz Special School
Port Reitz Special School is ranked as one of the best special schools in the coastal region. It is a public boarding primary school that offers specialized education for children with physical disabilities. Apart from education, the school also provides physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment to its students.