SPECIAL NEEDS EDUCATION WITHIN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
(further information will also follow)

Special education
In elementary special education, the pre-school and primary structure is a pedagogical continuum. Primary special education is structured in four degrees called degree of maturity. (The number of years per degree is variable according to the level of maturity of the pupils in the school.)

Pre-school special education welcomes pupils from 2 to a maximum of 7 years old.
Primary special education welcomes pupils from 6 to a maximum of 14 years old.

Special education welcomes children and adolescents who, on the basis of a multidisciplinary examination, receive an adapted education based on their needs and pedagogical possibilities. The multidisciplinary examination is made by a psycho-medical-social centre or other authorised institution and includes medical, psychological, pedagogic examinations and social studies. The registration is made in agreement with the parents and following this the parents receive an attestation suggesting a suitable school with the level adapted to the pupil. The parents can then decide if they wish to follow this attestation or not. If the parents decide not to follow the attestation, the pupil stays in mainstream education without special support. This attestation is absolutely necessary when applying for entry into a special school. Special schools only give support to the mainstream schools regarding inclusion.

Special education is organised on the basis and the importance of the educational needs and the pedagogical possibilities of the pupils and to guarantee the development of their intellectual, psycho-motor functions, emotional and social abilities in order to ensure:
- integration into a social environment or in an adapted work structure
- professional possibilities in spite of their disabilities and to make integration possible in their everyday environment and working life.
- The pursuit of studies through to the end of the secondary superior level, offering at the same time the possibility of leading an active life.

The special education authorities organise the co-ordination between education and ortho-pedagogical, medical, paramedical, psychological and social interventions. It continually collaborates with the service in charge of the guidance of the pupils.

Special education is organised into 8 types. Each type is adapted to the general and particular needs of the pupils who attend special schools and who have the same types of disabilities and therefore share common needs. For pupils with multiple disabilities, the type of special education offered is defined according to their educational needs and adjusted to the age and the possibilities of each pupil.

Type 1 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with mild mental disabilities
Type 2 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with moderate or severe mental disabilities
Type 3 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with severe behaviour and personality problems.
Type 4 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with physical problems
Type 5 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with an illness or who are convalescent (classroom in clinic)
Type 6 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with a visual impairment
Type 7 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with an auditory impairment
Type 8 of special education is adapted to the special needs of children and adolescents with an instrumental impairment