Intellectual disability and complex needs: schooling and daily care in Spain

Terms used

• Aula específica — The aula específica is a small classroom for pupils with high support needs, located inside an ordinary school.
• Centro de educación especial — The centro de educación especial is a special school for pupils who need the highest levels of support.
• Dictamen de escolarización — The dictamen de escolarización is the official report that sets which type of school your child attends.
• Concertado — A concertado school is privately run but publicly funded under an agreement with the regional education department.
• Pedagogía terapéutica — Pedagogía terapéutica (PT) is specialist teaching for pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities.
• Audición y lenguaje — Audición y lenguaje (AL) is specialist teaching that works on hearing, speech and language.

Key rules

• Placement decision: The regional education authority decides the placement; you can state your preference and appeal.
• Teaching cost: Teaching is free in public and concertado special schools, but canteen, materials and some transport may cost extra.
• Regional differences: Transport, canteen aid, staffing ratios and review timings are set by each region, so ask your regional education department.
• Inclusion preference: The law prefers ordinary schools with support, and special schools are meant to act as resource centres.

Your three placement options

Spain places children with high support needs in one of three settings. The law prefers inclusion in ordinary schools, but the choice depends on your child's needs.

• Ordinary school with support. Your child is in a normal class and gets help from support teachers.
• Aula específica. This is a small classroom inside an ordinary school. Your child shares the school's playground and activities.
• Centro de educación especial. This is a special school for children who need the most support. Special schools are meant to act as resource centres for other schools too.

Some regions also allow a combined arrangement, where your child splits time between a special school and an ordinary one. Ask whether yours does.

Who decides

The regional education authority decides, not you. Its guidance team (EOEP or a similar team) carries out a psychopedagogical assessment of your child. It then issues the dictamen de escolarización, the document that sets the placement.

You will be consulted. You can state your preference and you can appeal. Say clearly which setting you want and why, and put it in writing. The placement is reviewed from time to time, usually when your child changes stage. Procedures and review timings vary by region, so ask the local education department how it works where you live.

What it costs

Teaching is free in public special schools. It is also free in concertado special schools, which are privately run but publicly funded.

You may still pay for extras:

• canteen
• transport, where it is not covered
• materials
• extracurricular activities
• in concertado schools, voluntary fees for non-teaching activities

What is allowed differs by region.

Canteen, transport and longer days

Most special schools offer a canteen, transport and sometimes early-morning or afternoon care. Terms depend on the region.

• Transport. It is commonly free when your child's school is away from home. Some regions fund it fully and others only if you meet distance or need criteria.
• Canteen. You usually contribute, and many regions reduce the fee or give free places based on income and disability.
• Before and after school care. It exists in some schools, at varying cost.

Check current terms with the education department of your region before you commit.

Hours and staff

Special schools and aulas específicas usually have:

• pedagogía terapéutica (PT) teachers, who are specialist teachers for learning needs
• audición y lenguaje (AL) teachers, who work on speech and language
• educational assistants, such as ATE or PTIS staff, who help with care, mobility and feeding
• physiotherapists

Some regions also place a nurse in special schools, but this is not universal. Aulas específicas tend to have a PT teacher and a shared assistant, with less specialist health staff than a special school.

Classes in special schools are small, often 6 to 8 pupils depending on the disability. Each region sets its own ratios of pupils per class and per assistant. Ask the school directly which staff your child would have and for how many hours.

Who runs special schools and can help

Many special schools are run by associations under an agreement with the regional education department. Plena Inclusión and its regional federations run many for intellectual and developmental disabilities. ASPACE runs schools and therapy centres for cerebral palsy. Autism, Down syndrome, deafness, blindness and mental health each have their own national bodies and regional associations.

These groups also offer family guidance, respite, early care, programmes for the move to adult life and legal advice. Contact the one that matches your child's condition early. They can explain local options and help you prepare for the assessment. Which centres exist differs by region and town.

The questions below cover the most common worries.

Frequently asked questions

Can I choose the school placement for my child?

No, the regional education authority makes the final decision, but you can state your preference and appeal. Its guidance team issues the placement report after assessing your child, and you are consulted during that process.

Are special education schools free of charge?

Teaching is free in both public and concertado special schools, but extras can cost money. Concertado means privately run but publicly funded. Canteen, transport where not covered, activities and materials may be charged, and the rules differ by region.

Is school transport free for a child in a special school?

Often yes, especially when your child is placed in a school away from home, but it depends on the region. Some regions fund it fully and others only by distance or need. Canteen places may be reduced or free based on income and disability, so ask your regional education department.

What specialist staff will my child have at school?

Special schools usually have specialist teachers, speech and language teachers, care assistants and physiotherapists, and sometimes a nurse. Classes are small, often about 6 to 8 pupils. Aulas específicas, the specific classrooms inside ordinary schools, tend to have one specialist teacher and a shared assistant, with less health staff.

Who runs special schools and can support my family?

Many concertado special schools are run by associations such as Plena Inclusión and ASPACE, or by religious or cooperative bodies. These groups often offer family guidance, respite, early care and programmes for the move to adult life. The mix of organisations depends on your region and town.