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International relocation with a Special Needs Child: 

Using School Choice International in a relocation with your special needs child.

How do you consider an international relocation with a special needs child? The idea of an overseas assignment for a family is often a wonderful opportunity to expose a child to new cultures, languages, friends and experiences, but for the thousands of families who have children who need to consider an international relocation with a special needs child, the thrill is often overwhelmed by the logistics of finding the appropriate schooling and resources to accommodate the child in the new location. Many families might not feel it’s worth it, but in today’s economy, not every family has the option to turn down an assignment. And for the company- that individual might be the key identified talent for the position. How do you ensure the international relocation with a special needs child be a success?   

Parents need to consider the following questions:

• Should I consider only private or only public schools to best address my child’s special education and gifted education needs?
• Will international schools be an option in the new location? Many international schools are run by either a board or are proprietary and so there are varying degrees of willingness to offer special education and gifted education programs. 
• What is the process for getting your child categorized as being eligible for "special needs", “gifted” or “special education” support if public or local independent schools are considered?
• Are children with special education needs included gifted catered for within the mainstream education in the new location? 
• What provisions are made and what support is given for children with special education and gifted educational needs?
• How are gifted children identified and catered to in the new location?

Finding educational resources abroad is often not as easy as it may initially seem. While there are more overseas schools than ever before willing to accept and work with a special needs child, their services can be very inconsistent – not only between schools, but also sometimes within the same school.

Here are some of the factors at play:

• Some schools may be resistant to offering services for special needs children because the school is not interested in serving this population, especially if the school is in a location where there are waiting lists and admissions are more selective.
• There is often a shortage of qualified special needs faculty and staff in international schools – and there is also frequent turnover – a special education teacher, specialist, or therapist who may be at the school one year may take another international assignment and be gone for the next year.
• Will the other support services the child needs be available, for example speech and language therapists? Physical therapists? Occupational therapists? Psychological and/or psychiatric support, if needed? Will my child’s medications be administered if needed?  If the services are available, who pays for them?
• If the child has a physical disability is the school fully accessible?

 A family should not have to go it alone in an international relocation with a special needs child, nor should they have to automatically turn down an assignment. Working with an experienced School Choice International Special Educator can make all the difference in navigating through the challenges, advocating for the needs of the child, and making the relocation a wonderful opportunity for the entire family.