A child with special needs, or who has emotional, developmental, educational, or behavioral challenges can be difficult for parents at the best of time, but even more so for those who are living far from home. Finding assistance for children with special needs in Cambodia has proven to be incredibly difficult in the past, with most Cambodia-based families seeking help abroad in Thailand or Singapore. Luckily, a range of special-need services is slowly becoming more available in Cambodia.
ABA and Speech Therapist, Greeshma Girish from Smilestones Cambodia, during a home-based therapy session.
Does your child have specialized needs or could use extra support?
While some physical disabilities are more visible, knowing whether your child is exhibiting signs of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD/ADD, or other developmental or learning difficulties can be difficult to determine. Sometimes parents are hesitant to seek help because of the stigma surrounding children with SEN (Special Education Needs), or resistance to their child being labelled. For others, not knowing what services and support is available, or hoping the child will just “grow out of it” means delayed treatment.
While some may argue that a clear diagnosis is vital in order to assist a child, and help the family move forward, lack of a formal diagnosis doesn’t necessarily have to prevent accessing early support in order to help your child. In fact the earlier the intervention, the better the long-term outcomes.
It’s also worth noting that there are a range of therapy options available in Cambodia, and parents are encouraged to research the methods used to fully make a decision about the best intervention for your child.
With the help of SENia Cambodia, a special needs network for professionals, parents, and teachers, I’ve compiled a list of some of the services available for children requiring extra support in Cambodia. Continue reading
