Identification of special educational needs - Denmark

The decision as to whether a child's development requires special consideration or support rests upon a concrete assessment in each individual case. In line with section 12 in the Act on the Folkeskole, the decision shall be made upon educational and psychological coun-selling and upon consultation of the pupil and his/her parents.

Normally teacher(s) in mainstream settings discover a given pupil's special needs.
The local educational-psychological advisory services (PPR) are obliged to give a statement upon request of the pupil or the parents. In such cases parents can contact the local education authorities or the educational-psychological advisory services.
The educational-psychological advisory services look into the nature of the need and make proposals for remedying it. The headteacher of the school decides whether a pupil will be referred to special education. Finally, the educational-psychological advisory services follow the development of the pupil in order to make the necessary adjustments, including discontinuation of the support.

As far as possible, children are taught at the class level of their age. A pupil may however, with the approval of his/her parents, attend the same grade for two years, if it is considered to be of his or her benefit, or he/she may be offered 11 years of teaching in addition to the pre-school class.