Special education ... the Saudi hidden hazard!

The conflict of special education is already upon us. Who’s out and who, at least, is in? This should be the question of the moment.
A new academic year begins, and thousands of Saudi parents become desperate to find a school that better understands their children needs. Autistic children, for instance, account for more than 12,000 students and non-official surveys suggest that more than 200,000 Saudi children are diagnosed with autism. The dilemma of such a pervasive developmental disorder can lead to a massive family disaster. A long list of ‘who-will-do-it’ tasks immediately follow. Who will diagnose, follow up, educate, train, rehabilitate, provide therapy, modify behavior, control aggression, and more of the same grievances.
The families of Saudi children with different types of special needs are suffering as we speak. The shortage starts from Social Affairs and does not end at the doors of The Ministry of Education. Even the private sector is putting immense pressure on families by charging extortionate fees in return for insufficient services. That, dear readers, is what is called ‘special education’.
Schools devoted to special education are launched almost randomly and most teachers are not qualified or at the very least, trained enough to handle complex cases, let alone educate children with special needs. Transportation is also a big issue. The list goes on.
The situation has become dire, especially in light of the fact that the number of diagnosed children is on the rise. The other darker side of the issue is seen when thinking of small Saudi towns that do not even have a medical clinic. How can the children of special needs and their families possibly be doing there?

(The writer is chairman of Saudi Cartoon & Animation Society)
Email: [email protected]