Special needs schools spain

Hi,

I am hoping to move to Spain before next winter and am just researching about schools in near Almeria for my five children aged 3,6,10.12 & 14yrs. I am wondering what the fees might be for international school (or cheaper alternatives) as we are on a low income but want our chidren to learn spanish as a second language but be taught mainly in English. My 10 year old son is also in an autistic unit at the moment and he could not integrate into a mainstream classroom.

Could anyone offer any advice or know of any special schools in Spain (which teach in English or have English staff) or where I can find a list of special schools?

I cannot make a move to spain unless I know that I can find adequate provision for my autistic son.

Thanks

** EDITED - Against forum rules **

Man you got to love the hughjardon comments when they come along. He makes more sense than Donald trump.  That’s what I think anyhoo 

I wonder how you are going to support 5 kids ...and I take it 2 adults when you arrive in Spain .

I’m wondering what the motive might be to uproot a family at these stages of development and try and settle in a country without language skills and without the full means of education for a special needs child.

with this being a plan for later in the year I assume it not because of a sudden job offer.  

Are we paying benefits from the UK for moves like this Zari?   

Hi Brian,

The reason for the move is due to my husband's health. He is retired now  (I am in my forties) so recieves his state pension and a pension from his old job too. We have enough to support our family and daily life in Spain but not for excessive school fees in addition.

My husband suffers from fibromyalgia, ME and arthritis. All of these conditions are worsened by cold and damp in UK.  His consultant has told him to leave the UK wintertime as he may not survive the winter. Things have worsened over the last few winters and he currently has a severe chest infection, constant muscle pain, fatigue and depression and just can't sleep or rest due to the pain. We live in Wales and the last few summers have been non stop rain too!

My husband is a different person and a great dad when he is in the warmer weather. We want to spend some quality golden years happily in the sunshine with our children and that is not happening in the UK.

We have 2 options. 

Remain in the UK where school places are settled and go away for school hols and an extended christmas break ie return after Feb half term. The kids can bring 6 weeks study with them possibly?.

Or make a permanent move to spain if we can ensure that the kids will have adequate affordable schooling where they are happy and we can communicate with teachers, help with homework etc The hardest part is knowing whether we will find it possible to get a place for our autistic son who cannot integrate into mainstream school.

This was my main question really. Does anyone have experience of this? Does anyone have an autistic child and have you made the move? Are there actually ASD units in Spain as in the UK? Do you have to pay high fees for English/International schools? Can I find a list of special schools on a site which is in English?

We chose Almeria Costa del sol area as we believe there are a lot of English expats there and it is warmer in the winter months.

Any advice appreciated,

Thanks to all other replies,

Zari

Hi Zari,

Its much too specialised an answer for me to attempt, and Im sure your fed up of googling for information

I hope your reply to me gives more information for others with this kind of knowledge on EOS to give you further guidance though.  Best wishes.

I came across this but dont know if it helps?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/faq/is-there-an-autism-society-in-spain/

Might the UK autistic society (http://www.autism.org.uk/get-involved/about-us/whoweare/whatwedo.aspx) have any links to European autistic organisations that might be of assistance?

Also found this

http://www.autismeurope.org/what-we-do/

On the subject of winter weather however, perhaps others can update you on whether your aspirations are realistic in the region of Spain that you are considering?

Just wondering if there might be other English speaking countries that provide greater guarantees in this regard?

Or have you researched other regions in the UK that might not be as wet in the winter? (http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-second-driest--warmest-13042261)

Just a few thoughts....

Before you go any further... You should take a serious look at the money side of things ...you said you are on low income with your only source being two pensions ..Government/Private now I know what the UK government pension comes to ...so all I can think of is that you have a substantial private pension ...so your statement of limited. income does not add up ...by moving to Spain you will not be able to claim any UK state benefits including child benefit ...the child benefits alone that you will lose comes to over €400.00 per month for 5 kids.. and then you will have the income tax to pay on both pension to pay along with any other assets you have ...when all this is added up including the seven people you have to keep ... You would need a substantial amount of income along the line's of what you are receiving in the UK ...the only thing that is cheap in Spain is the IBI. That's council tax to you ..food /utility bill's/clothing are approximately the same ...when we get post's like yours they are usually Windup's ..but you seem to be genuinely serious so god only knows what you are running away from but what ever the case maybe when and if you do make the move things will be know better for you ...sorry but this is how I see this post.

Hi, thanks for your input on the financial side of things. I think you are absolutely right and thank you for spelling it out for me! Sometimes you become so absorbed in what you want to do that you don't take a reality check.

Great advice, Thanks.

Good luck anyway... Enjoy your future holidays in Spain.

I'm planning to move to Spain next year with my younger sister (she was diagnosed with ADHD last month and needs special care). Here's what I found: https://sid.usal.es/faq.aspx?ID=200

You may also check the list on Expat Forum: special needs school in costa blanca north:

https://www.expatforum.com/expats/expats-living-spain/special-needs-education-writemyessaytoday