Special Needs Education in Bangkok, Thailand

ATOC Acorns to Oaks Children Centre:
Located off Sukhumvit Road in the Watthana District of Bangkok, Acorns to Oaks Children Centre (ATOC) is a well resources learning centre with a multidisciplinary team providing services such as early intervention programmes for children between the ages of 2 and 7 years. These services are provided for children whom have learning difficulties, autism and other developmental delays and include speech therapy in English, Dutch and German, occupational therapy, educational, developmental and behavioural assessments, individual and group English language classes, as well as workshops for parents and teachers. Programmes for each child are individualised to maximise their progress and prepare them for the mainstream school.

ATOC believes in the ability of every child to learn successfully and takes a holistic approach working through strengths to overcome challenges.
 
About Us:
At ATOC, experienced teachers and therapists work with children on a variety of programmes from enhancing academic English in non-native English speakers, providing speech therapy to systematically teaching a child with different learning needs. Specialists are available to work with children with delayed / disordered development to maximize skills and minimize the impact on learning. Programmes for each child are individualised to maximise their progress and prepare them for the mainstream school. ATOC consultants will help you to understand your child's unique profile and will then work with you and the school to optimise your child's learning.

At ATOC, we believe we can:

- Build a child’s confidence by helping him to believe in himself, develop his skills and work on his self image as a valued individual.

- Succeed because we use qualified educators, good quality resources and have specific targets.

- Help young children to speak with oral therapy, speech and language training and when required picture systems, signing and specialised computer software.

- Help students to think critically using an approach that enables them to observe, reflect, evaluate, explain and reason.

- Increase a child’s capacity to learn and developing his academic readiness and academic achievement.

Early Intervention:
Early intervention is the identification of children who are at risk of delays in their development. An intervention team will then work with the parents. There are different ways in which a child’s development can be enhanced at an early age.

- Start Right Early Intervention Programme (2 years - 6 years):  Full-time placement on the Start Right Early Intervention Programme is based on an assessment of need.

- Primary Preparation (6 years +) - short term individualised programmes:  Full time places for the older student are offered where the student needs intensive focused teaching prior to school admission.

Additionally: Gifted extension program, outreach program, home-schooling program, summer sessions & special needs programs.

Assessment:
An assessment gives information on how a child performs and information on strengths and weaknesses. This is quantified by taking accurate measurements using a standardised assessment process. This process gives information on what a child should be capable of and what they can actually do.

Purpose of Testing:
- Diagnosis
- Programme Placement
- Funding and Classification
- Access to Therapies
- Instructional Planning
- Evaluation of Outcome

 "Finding the necessary support for children with Developmental Learning needs in Bangkok is like looking for a needle in a haystack. I should know as I faced the horrendous experience when I was looking for places that could help me in providing the care and developmental support I was so desperately looking for after the birth of my daughter, Nicky, who is a person with Down Syndrome.We were fortunate that Alison and the team at ATOC came to the rescue and helped us to get Nicky started on the path to independence and confidence, blossoming into a wonderful child who has been integrated into a mainstream school with peers of her own age group.

I am thankful to ATOC and the entire staff for all their support and guidance, which continues today, while respecting our opinions, needs and preferences in providing Nicky with the solid foundation which we hope to continue to build on to help her face the challenges that the future will bring."- A. Prachaseri.