Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make. When your child has a disability, that decision involves additional considerations beyond those typical for mainstream schooling. Accessibility, specialised supports, staff expertise, and the school environment all matter when matching a setting to your child’s needs.
For our family, the choice became clear once we accepted that a mainstream school would not meet our twin boys’ needs. Although we lived just 200 metres from the school our daughter attended and had hoped the boys would go there too, we ultimately enrolled them in the local special needs school. It was the right fit: the school provided the supports they required and was a wonderful learning environment for them to learn and grow.
If this is your first time choosing a school or you’re considering a change to better meet your child’s needs, it can be hard to know what to ask or look for. To make that process easier, I’ve compiled a list of key items, needs, and essentials to consider when selecting a school for a child living with a disability. Use these points to compare options and find the best fit for your child’s learning, development, and wellbeing.
Use this list as a starting point:
Does a support class in a mainstream school provide the support and learning opportunities that your child needs?
Does your child need to attend a school specifically for children with a disability?
What is the wheelchair accessibility or mobility access like to get into the school, in the classrooms and on the playground?
What communications systems are available to support your child’s communications style and needs?
How does the school communicate with families?
How does the class teacher communicate with families on a daily basis?
What transport options are available?
Where do their siblings attend? (if they have any)
What options are available for after school care if needed and appropriate for your child?
Is there a sensory room available for neurodivergent children?
What transport is available for your child to get to and from school ?
What are the social opportunities for your child?
For a more detailed list and considerations for choosing your child school download our free guide from our free resources page!