In what will seem like one of the saddest closings ever, Care For Children Special Needs School (CfCS) previously featured in our 2012-2013 School Choice Guide will be closed as of this Thursday, June 21, 2012. As the only special needs school for expat families in Beijing this will be a huge blow for expat families with special needs children in Beijing. Many of these families will have to resort to home schooling or even worse be forced to return to their home countries to seek schools for special needs children.
Although a regular school is no longer available for expat families in Beijing. Elliot’s Corner which focuses on therapy and Side by Side which focuses on special needs and learning difficulty support for children also provide aide for special needs families. Stars and Rain also provides schooling (although more Chinese based) and help for children with autism.
Eliott’s Corner is the Beijing branch of Olivia’s Place, an established pediatric therapy center in Shanghai. Founded by parents and therapists, Eliott’s Corner provides high-quality and affordable occupational, physical, and speech therapy for children from birth to adolescence. The therapists at Elliot’s Corner are specially trained to work with children
Side by Side is a completely foreign-owned-and-run center that supports children with special needs and learning difficulties. Their services include music therapy, learning support, community support, and a special education program. Team members are fully-qualified and experienced professionals who conduct services in English. Music therapy is also available in German.
Stars and Rain was founded in 1993 by Tian Huiping, the mother of an autistic child. It is the first school in China devoted to kids with autism and their families. Autism impairs sensory input, causing problems in social behavior, communication, and learning – and an estimated five million people in China have it. There is no cure for autism, but early diagnosis and intervention are vital to a child’s development. Stars and Rain was created to help autistic people enjoy an equal chance for development and the opportunity to have a normal life.
More on therapy centers for kids with special needs.
Photo courtesy of guardian.co.uk
