Special Needs Education in Geneva

Information on the provision of schooling for physically and mentally disabled children in the Geneva area, including those with autism, ADD and other disorders...

General compulsory education applies also to children and young people with visual and hearing impairments, physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental retardation, speech disorders, and behavioural disorders. Special types of schooling are provided to children and young people who cannot meet the usual school standards or who need special educational programs to do so.

For information on special needs education contact:

• Service Médico Pédagogique
  At: 16-18 Bd St Georges, 1205 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 327 43 91
• Service de l'enseignement specialisé et de l'appui à la formation
  At: Bâtiment administratif de la Pontaise, 1014 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 316 54 00
• Service de l'enseignement obligatoire
  At: 67 rue de l'Ecluse, 2000 Neuchatel
  Tel: +41 (0)32 889 69 20

ASK – All Special Kids

ASK is a Geneva-based network for families with special needs children. It can provide information relating to special needs issues in the region and assistance to newcomers. Monthly support meetings are organised and thematic workshops for parenting a special needs child. The group focuses on helping anglophone families but can also help families of other nationalities.

• ASK – All Special Kids
  e-mail

ASPEDAH

Association Suisse Romande de Parents d'Enfants Avec Déficit d'Attention et/ou Hyperactivité (ASPEDAH) is an association which provides information and support to parents of children with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder. It can help to find appropriate therapies and treatments.

• ASPEDAH (in French)
  At: 18 rue du Nugnon, 1005 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 703 24 20
  Website

Autism Suisse

A Swiss association for parents of autistic children.

• Autism Suisse (in French, German and Italian)
  At: 91 rue de Lausanne, 1700 Fribourg
  Tel: +41 (0)26 321 36 11
  

Fondation le Cube de Verre

Support and activity group for parents of autistic children. The association can provide advice on resources that are available for children with autism.

• Fondation le Cube de Verre (in French)
  At: 1 rue de la Gare, 1197 Prangins
  Tel: +41 (0)22 367 26 24

Insieme

Association of parents and friends of the mentally disabled. (Websites in French only).

• Insieme Genève
  At: 7 rue de la Gabelle, 1227 Carouge
  Tel: +41 (0)22 343 17 20
  e-mail
  
• Insieme Vaud
  At: 26 chemin de Malley, 1007 Lausanne
  Tel: +41 (0)21 341 04 20
  
• Insieme Neuchâtel
  At: 28 avenue L Robert, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds
  Tel: +41 (0)32 926 85 60
  e-mail
  

Association Genevoise d'Insertion Sociale

The aim of this association is to promote the insertion of the physically and mentally disabled, they can provide voluntary helpers for disabled children.

• Association Genevoise d'Insertion Sociale (in French)
  At: 33 rue Eugène Marziano, 1227 Les Acacias
  Tel: +41 (0)22 308 98 10

Fondation de Vernand

Association for schooling and special needs education working with over 30 different schools in Geneva and Vaud.

• Fondation de Vernand (in French)
  At: 5 chemin de Praz Lau
  Tel: +41 (0)21 731 94 11
  e-mail

Service Médico Pédagogique

Centre providing help and advice to adolescents and children suffering from psychological and behavioural problems as well as speech impediments.

• Service Médico Pédagogique
  At: 16-18 bd St Georges, 1205 Geneva
  Tel: +41 (0)22 327 43 91

Handisport Genève

Handisport offer a variety of sports to the disabled and children are welcome in all activities. Sports available include: basketball, swimming, skiing, waterskiing, tennis, sailing, archery, horse riding and table tennis

• Handisport Genève (in French)
  At: 54 rue du Village, 1214 Vernier
  Tel: +41 (0)21 341 43 00
  

FEDEA (Fondation pour l'Education des Enfants Autistes) School

Private school for children with autism, providing kindergarten, primary and secondary schooling in English and French.

• FEDEA
  At: 2 rue du Pont Neuf, 1110 Morges
  Tel: +41 (0)21 803 62 30
  Fax: +41 (0)21 803 62 37
  e-mail
  

Oak Hill School

Half-day programme for children with diagnosed learning disabilities or attention deficit disorders. Classes are in English.

• Oak Hill School
  At: 31 Chemin de Précossy, 1260 Nyon
  Tel: +41 (0)22 354 01 40
  Fax: +41 (0)22 354 0141
  e-mail
  

Further Information

• Swiss Education website
• Swiss Institute for Special Education
• Federal Invalidity Insurance Law (in French)