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Schooling for English 4 year old

1K views 3 replies 3 participants last post by  JonandGaynor 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, so me and my partner are in the very early stages of considering a relocation to Cyprus, we are both 28 and have a 4 year old son. One of the main things I worry about is getting my son into school, he’s on the autistic spectrum but is high functioning. I know there are private English schools in Cyprus but can imagine they are very expensive. Has anyone on here had experience with putting their children into a Cypriot school? How did they manage with Greek not being their first language? Are they supported? Did they settle in well? As you can imagine this is something I worry about so any advice or knowledge would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance 🙂
 
#2 ·
Hi Helen & Nathan

I have American friends who had their children educated in private schools - they are fine. I don't know what provisions there are in the state schools, but there's an organisation in Cyprus that should be able to advise you:

The Cyprus Autistic Association. Their website is in Greek - but if you use Google Chrome as your web browser you can translate it and their Contact page. Drop them a note - they speak English.

There's also a A Practical Guide for Individuals with Autism in Cyprus: Rights and Provisions from Governmental and Non-Governmental Services.

A few years ago my Rotary Club did some work for a charity in Limassol that offers support to those with autism of all ages. We redecorated and supplied sound and lighting equipment for their 'chill-out' room. But they also had 'panic room' that concerned us greatly - it looked like a padded cell.

I don't think the state provision for your son will be a match for what's available in the UK.

Regards,
 
#3 ·
Thanks so much for your reply, I will definitely have a look at the links you have sent and do my research. I think maybe our best option would be private schooling as the padded cell sound very alarming. The sensory rooms that you created sound amazing though I bet the children loved that

Kind regards
Helen & Nathan
 
#4 ·
Our son is a teacher in a private school here and says they often have autistic children enrolled. Depending on the severity of the condition his school offers increased TA support up to 1:1, however this comes as an additional cost to normal fees and if a child is diagnosed with autism having this extra support is a condition of enrollment into the school.
 
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