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 :)

Hello kentia73!

Yes, I moved to Belgium in September and I live in Ghent now. I have sent you an email :)

Do not hesitate to contact me if anyone is looking for a Child and Adolescent Psychologist with experience in ABA Therapy.

Kind regards,
Itxaso Astigarraga

I have a son (4 years old), who goes to a Dutch-speaking school. He has just been diagnosed with autism. I'm trying to get him to receive therapy in a multidisciplinary centre in Jette but there is a long waiting list.
Until he can get there, I am looking urgently for a therapist (Dutch speakig) who could ideally work with him at school or at home. Does anybody know where I could find anybody?

Hi,

HAVE you found an Aba therapist in Brussels? Or any kind of therapy (ergo)? What school your child visited?
Thanks

Good evening all,
Not sure if anyone still reads this old thread but I see a lot of interesting responses already...
I will be moving to Brussels with my family in September-October, we have one child with autism
(7years English speaking) who is currently receiving one on one support in the class by an ABA therapist. we are trying to understand how the school system would work in Belgium, would it be possible for instance to have him enrolled in a private school with an ABA therapist in the class with him? The only private school in Brussels with a special needs class seems to be already full...
Hope for any reply!
Thank you in advance
Kind regards
ValFe

There are a couple of private/ international schools that may be able to support additional needs. Which one have you already approached?
ACE of Brussels is a small school that I think can provide some support for children with some types of additional needs but obviously you would need to discuss the support you would like/ could provide and what they can provide/ support.
BSB can provide some support for additional needs but it is a much larger environment and again you would need to discuss with the school what could be supported/ provided.

I contacted ISB and they told me they are full.... And I haven't found any other school that explicitly mentions special needs, do you know if other schools in. Brussels have such a setting? I read here that it seems to be acceptable for parents to organize support in the class? Is it something common?
Thank you for your kind reply!

I would suggest contacting ACE of Brussels and BSB to find out what they might be able to offer even if there is not information upfront. ACE is in eastern Brussels and BSB is just outside Brussels in Tervuren.

Thank you for you replies, i followed you advices will have some meetings with schools in the coming weeks. ABA therapists are quite rare to find seems like but I am confident we'll find something

Hi everyone,
I have a son, 2/5 years, who has recently been diagnosed with autism. I am looking for an intensive ABA therapy in Brussels.
As I am going to move to Brussels for this reason, I will appreciate if you introduce me any therapist that you know or have any experience with.
Thank you!

@itxasoastigarraga

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, I hope you are doing well! I have a son, 2,5 years who has recently been diagnosed with autism. I would like to know if you are still in Brussels and if you are working 1:1 ABA with kids?

Thank you!

Best regards,
Tokithemum

Hello,
I am looking for an ABA therapist in Brussels for my son (English speaking). Wondering if you are available. Could you please give me a sign so we can discuss in more details.
many thanks.

Hello Paulina,
I am looking for an ABA therapist for my son. Are you still working in Brussels?

thanks.
Isabelle