Special Educational Needs in China

[englishboy]

Hi,

I am hoping to relocate soon to China - either Beijing, Shanghai or Hong Kong.

We have 2 children who will come with us. One is 6 and will attend one of the international schools so no problem there. The other is just 10. He has Down's Syndrome. He currently attends a normal mainstream school in UK with support from a specially trained "helper"

We are trying to find ways to incorporate him into the education system. The international schools are, understandably, not set up to support someone with his requirements. The situation in HK is slightly different but places with support are very scarce and waiting lists are long

One idea we have is to recruit someone with training in Special Educational Needs to act as his one-to-one tutor/companion. This person could either be a westerner living in the city or local Chinese (obvioulsly needing v good English as his English is sometimes a little unclear). I understand that Chinese children with similar requirements are educated in special schools so there are presumably a lot of trained teachers in Beijing and Shanghai.

We would appreciate any comments regarding how our son might be incorporated into the education system and how we might go about recruiting someone with the right sort of skills and training

Thanks v much

[sarahkuang]

Here are some information that you can start with to search for special need.

Shanghai: 上海市智残人亲友会

address:上海市汉口路50 号

Telephone: 86-21-63232074

Beijing: 北京市智残人亲友会

Address: 北京市宣武区广安门内大街318号

Telephone: 86-（？？）-63549970

I think you better get someone else who speak Chinese to call for you. I don't expect they have someone that can understand English in office.

Best regards

Sarah

[englishboy]

Thanks Sarah, I will ask my Chinese tutor here in UK to help with contact.

My translation of the organisations you suggest is poor at best, someting like "Shanghai Disabled Support"??

Thanks

Nick

[sarahkuang]

I would like to say "Shanghai Family Support of Mental Retardation" . By the way I got the correct phone number of Beijing Family Support of Mental Retardation

86-10-63549970

You are welcome anytime!

Sarah