Once a child has been diagnosed with Autism, most parents
never really know the next step to take as there is so much to deal with and
learn in an effort to ensure that the child gets the best out of life. When the
child is of school-going age, it might be difficult for some parents because
most of the Primary schools (especially public) may not have departments that
solely care for autistic children.
There have also been instances where parents online have
recounted heart–wrenching stories of how their children were mistreated in
schools that could not handle children living with autism. It, therefore, makes
sense that parents would want their children to go to schools with specialized
teachers and the correct environment where they can learn comfortably.
Some of the factors a parent should consider when looking
for a special school for her autistic child include cost,
proximity, the performance of students, specialized teachers and department as
well as the safety of the child.
Below are some of the schools you can look into:
- Autism
School International
Assuring parents of the ability to unchain these Special
members of society, the Autism International School offers comprehensive care
for children with Autism spectrum disorder among other types of learning
abilities. To enroll your child, you should book a date for an interview and
proceed from there.
Contacts
Location: Thika, Kiambu County
Tel: 0721 282123
Website: https://autismschoolinternational.org
- Bridgewood
School
Founded in 2004, Bridgewood is a school that covers early
years from 2 years to 6 years as well as special Needs Education. According to
their website, the school equips the children for future educational
adjustments. A section reads that they do this by helping every child
develop confidence, self-esteem, and as individuals to be what God intends them
to be regardless of their conditions. Some of the curriculum activities include
communication skills, social skills, motor skills, cognitive skills, daily living
skills, and attention skills. They also learn pre-academic skills and
pre-vocational skills as well.
Contacts
Tel: 0203520433
Website: http://www.bridgewoodschool.com/
- St
Gerald’s Centre for Children with Autism
Founded by Angela Githieki, St Gerald’s Centre is a day and
boarding center that provides various interventions such as dietary measures to
help autistic children feed well. The school admits children between 3 and 16
years and all programs are designed to meet the individual needs of each child.
Contacts
Location: Tigoni, Limuru, in Kiambu County
Tel: 0731 680265
Email: stgeralds@gmail.com
- Jacaranda
Special School
The Jacaranda Special School is funded by the government and
has been around since 1946. Apart from autism, it also admits children with
other conditions such as Cerebral Palsy and Down syndrome.
Contacts
Location: Kilimani, Nairobi County
- Kenya
Community Centre for Learning (KCCL)
Kenya Community Centre for Learning is a community that
accepts children with different learning challenges between the ages of 6 and
21 years. The children are from diverse religious, cultural and socio-economic
backgrounds. The school prides itself on being a model center that caters to
the empowerment and learning of people with learning disabilities. It does this
by offering an enabling environment for the development and exploration of
personal and academic potential.
Contacts
Location: Behind the Thika Road Mall
Telephone: 0721 32489
Website: https://www.kccl.ac.ke/
- Joytown
Schools for the Physically Disabled
Originally started by the Salvation Army, Joytown Primary
and Secondary schools are now run by the government. Salvation Army only offers
the spiritual aspect of it. The Primary school is home to 300 children, while
the Secondary school part houses 200 students. Having a secondary school is
very convenient since it meets the needs of the children who join from primary
school.
Contacts
Location: Thika town, Kiambu County.
Tel: [254] (020) 2403260/1/2
Fax: [254] (020) 2403263
Email: Kya_Leadership@kya.salvationarmy.org
- Kenya
Institute of Special Education (KISE)
It mainly offers the best training as far as special needs
education is concerned. This includes a preschool for young children with
special needs. The institution also offers assessments for children with
hearing impairments, visual impairments, and autism, among other learning
difficulties.
Contacts
Location: Kasarani in Nairobi County,
Telephone: +254-20- 8007977, Cell: +254-724-269505.
Email: info@kise.ac.ke