Moving to Brussels with special needs child

[Sanne2016]

Hi, I'm new to this site but seeking some help and advice from you. My family and I are moving to Brussels (from Canada) next summer 2017 and we are in the process of finding an International school for our boys (twins 4 years old). My one son is autistic (high functioning, verbal (Eng only) but needs special learning support/therapy), and so far we know that ISB and BEPS and ACE of Brussels offer Special Learning Programs but does anyone know if they are any good? ISB has told us they currently don't have availability for my son next year, and would have to put him on a waiting list which is very disappointing, and I am still waiting to hear from the other schools. We are a bit lost and wonder if any of you have been in a similar situation? Are there any other schools, institutions or facilities in Brussels I should look into to find support for my autistic son? Or does anyone know a good English speaking ABA therapist, or Occupational Therapist? My son is currently in a preschool receiving ABA therapy (moderate version 7.5 hours a week). Thanks a lot :)

ACE of Brussels does not offer any special programme at all and makes it clear on its website so it will be news to the school. Only ISB has a specific unit, for which it charges a high premium to cover the extra staff an resources.

If your child is high functioning, there is no reason why he cannot cope in a local school or a private international school other than ISB. The private and local schools would offer a place usually after assessment.

I would start school search with saying where you will be working, as the choice of school will be made much easier if school is near work and home.

There are over 30 private schools in the greater Brussels area teaching in English, with fees from 10k up to 30k, your ability to pay might also determine which school you choose.

I have the same issue. My son is high fonctioning and I am looking for ABA therapy , speech therapist in Bruxells. I will move in July 2017

You will find private therapists, expect 50-100 per hour costs. If you use google, you'll find them.

Hi, I'm an ABA therapist moving to Brussels soon, I was working with children with autism, asperger and other developmental disorders. I have a question for two mums who wrote here: did you find a center or a school which offer ABA therapy, regular supervision etc? I'd like to continue working in aba approach in Brussels but I don't know if there are any specialists there in this area? Let me know! :)

Hi Pauline,
Unfortunately we didn't get the chance to find a school with Aba therapist in the campus.
Also ISB refused to take him because of his behavior ( after they discussed with his daycare teacher if to put him at the waiting list for the next two years ).
I decided to stay in US for one more year with him. Can I please get your contact when you will go in Bruxelles so we would like to contact you for next year.

I
know an aba therapist who works with children at st johns she s employed by parents not school. St johns isn't in Brussels though, it s 20km south in waterloo.

Just wondering if anyone found aba agencies in Brussels? I'm a BCBA working at an agency in Washington state, but looking to continue working in the field. I see it's been over a year that anyone posted, but that maybe by this time those saying they would move next year have done so and may have an insider's perspectives. I just started looking, but don't see any job postings on the ABAI website for Belgium. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Betti

**I left out that I am looking to move there this time next year.

I would expect all ABA therapists in Belgium to be "independents" so you won't find any jobs advertised and if you only speak English, your only likely clients are going to be children attending international private schools. It will basically mean building up networks.

I just saw this! I am an ABA therapist, working at an international school in Belgium. Privately employed. There are a few of us in Belgium though not many. And I am sorry to say that levels of training differ widely. We need BCBAs! I currently work with one who comes over from the Netherlands and another one who comes to visit from the Uk. Happy to help anyone who is searching for a therapist or needs info on schools.

Hi, I'm a BCBA who just moved to Ghent (from India) to start my PhD at UGent. I am happy to supervise therapists and offer help to families looking for services.

Hello,

Can I get any contact from you because I a searching an ABA therapist ?

Thank you

Hi Semanta,

I sent you a DM with my contact details!

Hi,
I have a high functioning autistic child of 5 years old.
He’s bilingual English first language and French second.
I am planing to move to Brussels with him.
Is there any English speaking school in Brussels that offer a special program for children with special conditions?
And are you able to offer your service ?

Regards

Valéry

Hello there,
We are looking for an ABA tutor too in Brussels.
Our kid is 4 yo bilingual french first and English.
Please leave us a message should you be interested.

Hi Valery and familyinbruxelles,

I sent you a DM with my contact details!

Maithri

Hello everyone, I am a psychologist and psychotherapist. It's 7 years that I work with autistic children and adults. Now I am in Italy and I work as therapist in two centers for autistic kids. And also with high functioning adults.
I have an Aba formation, but I am still for the competence assessment, and later to subscribe my exams for get on the board. I also have the two pecs courses (in my country we have two levels).
I would like to move to Belgium, but I also love my job and I would like to keep doing what I love.
If anybody have a suggestion is welcome.
I am Italian mother tongue, but I am pretty fluent in English and I have a A2 for French.

Dear ladies, we are moving to Brussels and starting September I want to have an intensive ABA programme for my son in English.I am now looking to hire a therapist and a BCBA. Any suggestions or help highly appreciated! Many thanks in advance!

Hello everyone,

I am graduating from my MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology at Leiden University. Currently, I am working in an international care centre for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in The Hague. Once I finish my masters (June 2019), I am intending to move to Belgium to continue developing my professional career.

As part of my masters, I completed an external clinical internship of 560 hours in an international ABA care centre (Reach Stichting Holland), where nowadays, I provide 1:1 therapy to children in the spectrum. As part of the therapy, I implement behaviour plans and teach language, play, social, self-help, and academic skills, thereby reducing the occurrence of maladaptive behaviours as well as promoting their personal development.

I am searching for a job in Belgium, so please, if you need an English, Spanish or Basque speaking child psychologist, do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks :)

Hi everyone,

I'm an ABA therapist with 10 years experience. For the past 3 years I was working in Australia, Sydney at Autism Education and Research Centre-school, which is based on ABA.
I'm moving to Brussels at the end of August/beginning of September.
If any of you need an experienced English speaking therapist, please, do not hesitate to contact me on my e-mail:

[email protected]

Thanks you,
Simona

Hi there Simona
you could be in high demand but you'll have to register as an independent which will need some guidance. There is a website for this organisation but it might be quicker to contact via their Facebook page.
www.facebook.com/groups/addysasc/

Then you could take a look at this Facebook group where several mums have asked about ABA therapists.
www.facebook.com/groups/365571260276668/

Hi Nlds.

Thanks for advice! Much appreciated!

Simona

Dear Ndls,

Thank you for advice!

posteritxasoastigarraga, are you still around? I sent you a message