Identification of special educational needs - Latvia

There is no official definition of special needs in Latvia. Deviations in abilities, intellectual and physical development and behaviour that prevent students following the general curricula as is customary, are considered special educational needs. The students who are identified as having special educational needs are eligible to adapted and special education and educational support.

Usually all children start their schooling in a mainstream environment with the exception of those who have disability diagnosed in early childhood and the parents choose to place them in a special educational institution.

During the first year of schooling, students follow the mainstream curriculum. If they show considerable difficulties in accessing this curriculum and their academic achievements that do not correspond to the requirements of national basic education standards the support team of the school can suggest support measures and the development of an Individual Educational Plan. If the mentioned measures do not work and the child’s achievements have not improved, it can be suggested that the child repeats the year or attends the pedagogical medical commission. Before attending the commission, the child should be assessed by a psychologist, a speech therapist, a teacher and if necessary should have a general health check-up. The commission prepares recommendations regarding what kind of curriculum the child should follow, but it is up to the parents to make the final decision about their child’s education.

There are two types of pedagogical medical commissions – the State Pedagogical Medical Commission (SPMC) formed by the Ministry of Education and Science and Municipal Pedagogical Medical Commissions formed by district or town municipalities. The commissions consist of different specialists – special teachers, psychologists, doctors and social workers. They assess different aspects of child’s performance.

The competence of the SPMC and municipal commissions are defined by Regulations issued by the Cabinet of Ministers.

The commissions can identify the following special educational needs:

• learning disabilities (difficulties);
• hearing impairments;
• visual impairments;
• physical disabilities;
• language impairments;
• intellectual disabilities (disabilities of mental development);
• mental health disorders;
• severe and multiple disabilities;
• chronic illnesses.

Parents can choose what kind of educational institution their child should attend – a special school, a special class in a mainstream school, a special group in a mainstream school or should he/she be included in a mainstream class.