Special Education Schools In the Philippines: A Guide For Parents

Every child around the world has a right to access learning opportunities. In fact, one of the key sections in UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Children compels every member country to institutionalize free education from primary school up to secondary level. Interestingly, the Philippine educational system takes this mandate on a broader arena where learning is not only free but can also be inclusive and diversified.

With the Republic Act 11650, otherwise known as the “Inclusive Education Law,” Filipino kids with special needs can have equal access to schools and learning institutions that either offer special education (SPED) accommodations or are primarily designed to cater to learners with disabilities, particularly those diagnosed with autism. 

Thanks to the global advocacy for autism awareness, many parents have found an ally among SPED teachers and the progressive academic community that champions inclusivity for kids with developmental disabilities. Thus, if your child is of school age and has unique needs, you may enroll your kid in a school that has intervention programs for children with autism in place, as well as a curriculum tailored to the diverse learning capacities of children with autism. 

Don’t know where to start looking? Here’s a list of special education schools in the Philippines where you can enroll your child with confidence.

List of Special Education Schools in the Philippines

The Vanguard Academy

Address: 444 A Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue Barangay Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

Mobile:  02-8526-0926; Email: admissions@vanguard.edu.ph

Aside from the standard pre-kinder to K12 curriculum, The Vanguard Academy offers an Instructional Support Program (ISP), which is facilitated by SPED teachers. Grounded on the philosophy that every child is unique and special, this school employs various teaching techniques like floor time, structured teaching, and functional behavior analysis to suit diverse learning styles. Thus, it enables access for children of all backgrounds and experiences to explore, develop, and attain their optimum potential.

Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC)

Mandaluyong City: 1 Buenviaje St. Barangay Plainview, Mandaluyong City, Philippines

Mobile: 02-531-1551/02-655-7275; Email: admin@illcphilippines.com

Cebu: Fortrich St. Corner Duterte St., Banawa, Cebu City

Mobile: 032-489-9344/ 63-917-717; Email: admin@illcphilippines.com

Davao: 2nd Floor HLC Marketing Building 66-2D Suazo St., Davao City

Mobile: 63-82-299-4447/ 63-917-705-5075; Email: admin@illcphilippines.com 

Founded in 2003, the ILLC caters to kids, adolescents, and even young adults who are differently-abled yet have shown potential to achieve independent thinking and self-sufficiency. It offers therapy services, modified and functional basic education programs, as well as SPED senior high school curriculum and work placement programs to facilitate entry to the formal job marketplace.

Autism Partnership Manila

Address: 36 Tomas Morato Avenue, 1112 Quezon City

Landline: 02-655-3094; Email: inquiry@autismpartnershipph.com

This therapy-based institution adopts the Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), touted as a child-centered teaching and treatment approach for kids with autism. Backed by 50 years of scientific studies, Autism Partnership ensures an individualized learning program that accommodates kids with diverse behavioral issues.

The Child's World - A Growing Center

Address: 24-A Atok St. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City

Mobile: 02-712-4722

Established in 1982, The Child’s World has dedicated itself to promoting equal opportunity access for kids with special needs through a tailored academic curriculum (pre-kindergarten), transition program, and vocational preparation program facilitated by licensed SPED faculty.

Shine Special Education Center, Inc.

Address: 88 East Capitol Drive, Brgy. Kapitolyo, Pasig City

Mobile: 02-477-5717/ 477-5714; Email: info@shineinterventioncenter.org

Known to the locals as Shine Intervention Center, it also serves as a learning center for kids on the autism spectrum. Through behavioral management, vocational training, and communication therapies, this therapy center and licensed SPED school aims to introduce kids with autism into mainstream society.

Mary Immaculate Parish Special School

Address: Avocado Drive, Agro Homes 1, Moonwalk Village, Las Piñas City

Landline: 02-805-0557/02-802-3310

Unlike other SPED schools, MIPSS accommodates both regular (K-12) and special needs children. Following the Marian virtues and Christian values, it enables inclusive learning through the full inclusion and partial inclusion classes that help assess and improve learners’ ability to be integrated with mainstream students and lead normal academic life.

Las Piñas Montessori School

Address: 25 Gumamela st. cor. Dama de Noche St., Vergonville Subdivision, Las Pinas City

Landline: 02-846-2399/02-836-0720; Email: administration@lpms.edu.ph

Priding itself as the first school in South Luzon to offer both regular and special education programs, the Las Piñas Montessori School pioneers an alternative learning mode in the form of homeschooling that follows the basic K-12 curriculum, albeit with considerable accommodations for students with special needs.

CereCare Philippines Foundation (CPF)

Address: 3rd Floor, J&T Tower, 3894 Magsaysay Boulevard, Santa Mesa, Manila

Landline: 02-716-7688

As an educational arm of CereCare Wellness Center in Shanghai, China, CPF is a therapy center that caters to children with special needs using Conductive Education, along with traditional intervention programs for rehabilitation. It focuses on training SPED students to become self-sustaining and effective contributors to nation-building.

Stepping Stone

Address: 7419 Bernardino Street Guadalupe Viejo, Makati City

Landline: 02-899-8383; Email: admin@steppingstone.ph 

Stepping Stone began as a Rotary Club of Makati’s educational project in the 70s that now caters to kids with mild to moderate intellectual challenges. Apart from its K-6 curriculum, the school offers a SPED program for kids to teens which involves modified general education, life skills training, pre-vocational courses, and basic literacy.

Ruth Educational Academy for Changing Horizons Inc. (REACH)

Address: 101 Vista Verde Avenue Extension Vista Verde Executive Village Cainta, Rizal

Landline: 02-806-8280; Email: info@myreach.com.ph

Mobile: 09202378670

Named after its founder Elma Ruth, REACH enjoins SPED educators in a mission to provide quality learning accommodations for kids with special needs from preschool to pre-vocational age. Beyond the modified basic education curriculum, this SPED school offers job immersion activities to introduce SPED students to formal employment and assimilation into mainstream society.

Brothers of Charity

Address: 2002, Jesus Street Pandacan, 1011 Manila

Landline: 63-2-5640197; Email: edcel_lacierda@yahoo.com

As a local counterpart of Brothers of Charity that began in Belgium, this SPED institution caters not only to children with intellectual disabilities but also to those with hearing impairments. 

Kids Haven Intervention & Learning Center

Address: 83 Sgt. P. Bernardo, Barangay Caniogan, Pasig City

Mobile: 0939-923-6244; Email: kidshaven2010@gmail.com

Aside from its formal K-12 curriculum, Kids Haven also offers a SPED program wherein kids with intellectual disabilities receive one-on-one tutoring from teachers trained in handling children with special needs.

Goal-Oriented Activities for Learning and Skill Development (GOALS)

Caloocan: 109 Katipunan Street (along EDSA) Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City

Mobile: 0919-6991900

BGC: Unit 1706 Trade and Financial Tower 7th Avenue Corner, 32nd Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Mobile: 09276032625

Alabang: Unit B 3/f JJACCIS Bldg. Acacia Ave. Madgiral Business Park, Alabang, Muntinlupa City

Mobile: 09156226888

More than just a therapy and intervention center for kids with special needs, GOALS (Goal-Oriented Activities for Learning and Skill Development) offers playgroups, early intervention transition programs, functional academics, individual tutoring, and vocational programs that can prove SPED students’ competence and self-sufficiency.

Address: No. 26-B Agno St. cor, 1113 Cordillera, Quezon City

Landline: 02-8712-1189

Although primarily a therapy center, ALRES is also a SPED school that uses teaching methodologies backed by research while remaining aligned with the Philippine K-12 curriculum. Children who are intellectually challenged yet are able to attend regular school can enroll in ALRES’ inclusive education support which includes individually focused tutorial services.

Tips for Choosing the Right Autism School for Your Child

While most SPED schools in the Philippines follow progressive curricula and methodologies, you still need to consider your child’s unique needs and potential. For instance, if your child’s strengths lie in math prodigy, they can be enrolled in a SPED program that nurtures this gift while similarly honing functional academic competencies such as reading and writing.

Also, you may consider programs that address behavioral issues in your child without compromising his or her learning styles and special needs. Talking to the school administrators and SPED faculty will help you identify the most suitable school that will teach your child basic life skills and cultivate their unique gifts.

For the unofficial list of SPED schools in the country, you may visit Autism Connect, or search the accredited SPED centers through the National Council on Disability Affairs’ website.

The information provided in this article is based on available resources and research up to the date of publication.