Possibly moving to Vietnam, I have a son with Autism, he is 8 yrs old

VietNam has only in recent years set up funding for it's own children with challenges. It has a long way to go yet as only the major cities needs have be partially addressed so far.

Unless you are Viet Kieu, overseas Vietnamese, you have no chance of using the Vietnamese facilities as a Foreigner.

Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City have many 'international' schools who specialise in extracting money first and then 'educate' them as an afterthought.

There are some good ones, though. Finding them is hard.

Fees at international schools range up to USD$20,000 per annum. They seem to track the allowance that employers give favoured employees assigned to VietNam.

For reasons best left unsaid International School Saigon Pearl is a good one to avoid!

There are easy ways to separate the for-big-profit from more reasonably priced schools is by their time in VietNam. Investors moved in to exploit things in the early 2000's. I know an Australia school that is paying USD$50,000 EACH MONTH to rent their premises - little wonder they sell, sell, sell with a bill like that.

International Schooling in HCMC for Children

ABC International School

Profile:
National, UK, curricula, 280 students, 2-14 yrs.

Contact:
ABC International School
Early Primary (Playgroup–Year 2)
28 Truong Dinh Street, District 3
Ho Chi Minh City
Contact:
Tel: 84-(0)8-3930-3533
E-m: abcintschool@hcm.vnn.vn
Web: < theabcis.com >

Early Primary (Playgroup–Year 2)
4-1E Street, Khu Dan Cu Trung Son
Binh Hung, Binh Chanh District
Ho Chi Minh City
Contact:
Tel: 84-(0)8-5431 8050
E-m: abcintschoolssep@sptfone.vn
Web: < theabcis.com >
Primary & Secondary (Years 3-13)
2 1E Street, Khu Dan Cu Trung Son
Binh Hung, Binh Chanh District
Ho Chi Minh City
Contact:
Tel: 84-(0)8-5431-1833
E-m: abcintschoolss@vnn.vn
Web: < theabcis.com >


ACG International School Vietnam (Kindergarten to Year 13; Fees: $7,750 - $14,500/annum)
Profile:
Founded 2006
Capacity <1500 students, aged 7 - 18
International curriculum, IB Primary Years Programme* (PYP), IGCSE and IB Diploma
Bus service throughout much of city.

Contact:
Faculty: Nguyen Thi Dinh Street, Hamlet 2
An Phu Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Office: Suite 304, FL. 3 Kim Do Office Building
123 Le Loi Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3821-4179
E-m: acgvn@acgedu.com
Web: acgedu.com


American International School Vietnam
Profile:
Founded 2006, 300 students, aged 6 - 18, American curriculum

Contact:
Elementary School, 102C Nguyen Van Cu Street, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3838-5005
E-m: info@ais.edu.vn
Web: ais.edu.vn

Middle School: 35 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3514-6680
E-m: info@ais.edu.vn
Web: ais.edu.vn

High School : 781/C1-C2 Le Hong Phong (Bis/extended) Street, Ward 12, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3868-1001
E-m: info@ais.edu.vn
Web: ais.edu.vn


Australian International School Saigon
Profile:
Founded 2006, Students aged 3-16, Australian NSW Curriculum (PYP & IB Diploma planned)

Contact:
APSC Compound, 36 Thao Dien Road,
District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3744-6960
E-m: enrolments@aisvietnam.com
Web: < aisvietnam.com >

AIS - District 3 Faculty
Middle & Senior School
21 Pham Ngoc Thach.
District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3822-4992
E-m: enrolments@aisvietnam.com
Web: < aisvietnam.com >


British International School (fees around $19000/year)
Profile:
National UK curricula, GCE, A level exams, 842 students, 1-18 yrs.

Contact:
British International School,Ho Chi Minh City
225 Nguyen Van Huong Street, Thao Dien Ward, District 2,
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3512-2081
E-m: tuxuong@bisvietnam.com
Web: bisvietnam.com


Dynotots Preschool
Profile:
Founded 1995, 30 students, plus Parent & Toddler group, aged 1 - 5, Learning through Play, 7 staff

Contact:
3 Lotus Street, APSC Compound, 36 Thao Dien, An Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3512-4369

Possibly merged with AIS


International School Saigon Pearl
Profile:
Founded: 2009; 100 students (2011)

Contact:
92 Nguyen Huu Canh Street, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)-8-2220-1788


International School Ho Chi Minh City (fees around $19000/year)
Profile:
National US curricula, 747 students, 2-18 yrs.

Contact:
236 Bis Nam Ky Khoi Nghia St, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3887-4022
E-m: admissions@ishcmc.edu.vn
Web: < ishcmc.com >


Montessori International School of Vietnam
Profile:
Founded 2006, 60 Students, Montessori Curriculum, 8 Staff

Contact:
42/1 Ngo Quang Huy, Thao Dien Ward, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3744-2639
E-m: info@montessori.edu.vn
Web: < montessori.edu.vn > (includes fee schedule)


Renaissance International School Saigon
Profile:
Founded August 2007, 2 - 14Y, British Curriculum incorporating IPC (International Primary Curriculum) leading to IGCSE and IB Diploma Programme

Contact:
FUTURE KIDS NURSERY - Nguyen Thi Thap Faculty
74 Nguyen Thi Thap Str., Binh Thuan Ward, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3773-3171
E-m: ingridthomas@rissaigon.edu.vn
Web: rissaigon.edu.vn

Tu Xuong Faculty
26A Tu Xuong Street, Ward 7, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3932-0805
E-m: alunthomas@rissaigon.edu.vn
Web: rissaigon.edu.vn


Saigon Kids Educational Childcare Centre
Profile:
Founded 1996, 5 students, aged 2 - 6, Australian standard play based curriculum, including a British literacy program, 20 staff

Contact:
Saigon Kids Childcare Centre
104a Tran Quoc Toan
District 3
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3932-5579
E-m: saigonkidscentre@yahoo.com
Web: saigonkidscentre.com (includes fee schedule)


Saigon South International School
Profile:
Founded 1997. 400 students, aged 3 - 18, American/USA curriculum school, American High School Diploma Offering AP courses WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) accreditation

Contact:
Saigon South Parkway,
Tan Phong Ward,
District 7,
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-5413-0901
E-m: info@ssis.edu.vn
Web: ssis.edu.vn


Smart Kids Educational Childcare Centres
Profile:
Founded 2006, Capacity 72 children from 18 months-6 years old.

Contact:
Smartkids Thao Dien (Head Office)
1172 Thao Dien Compound
Thao Dien Ward, District 2
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3744-6076
E-m: yoko@smartkidsinfo.com
Web: smartkidsinfo.com (includes fee schedule)


Smartkids Riverside
Nr. 26, Street 10
Thao Dien Ward, District 2
Ho Chi Minh City
Tel: +84-(0)8-3898-9816
E-m: nicole@smartkidsinfo.com
Web: smartkidsinfo.com


Vietnamese Schooling for International Guests

Dinh Thien Ly School (Lawrence S. Ting School)
Tan Phong Ward
District 7
Ho Chi Minh City,

Tel(84-8) 5411-0040
Fax(84-8) 5411-0039
E-m: < dinhthienly@dinhthienly.vn
Web: < dinhthienly.vn >

* Secondary School
* High School

Dinh Thien Ly School (Lawrence S. Ting School) by the Company in Phu My Hung Joint Venture construction.

This school enjoys active support from the Ministry of Education and Training, Education and training in Ho Chi Minh City and other agencies involved.



Vietnamese Language Training for International Guests

LASSHO Vietnamese Language School For Foreigners
8 Mac Dinh Chi, D1
Tel: +84-(0)8-3823-3816
E-m: ntnh@fmail.vnn.vn
Web: lassho.edu.vn/default.aspx

Saigon Vietnamese Language School For Foreigners
Vietnamese and Japanese language training
41 Dinh Tien Hoang, D1
Tel: +84-(0)8-3825 1027
E-m: saigonlanguage@yahoo.co.jp
Web: saigonlanguage.com/default.aspx


Be prepared for sticker shock - the schools that show fee schedules seem more honest than others. Like many enterprises in VietNam, several of these schools seem to be profits first, education second. The Peoples Committee of HCMC inspects these facilities and has opined negative comments on some but as they are for Foreigners take no further action.

Always check out the bona fides of any claimed affiliation to ascertain whether or not they are what they claim to be.

On-Line Study

Ablaze Academy < ablazeacademy.com >

Ha Noi is even worse off for international schools and there are practically no schools in between!

Children born to Foreigners in VietNam (as long as they are registered as Vietnamese first and issued with a passport BEFORE being registered as the parents nationality) can register at VN schools.

Some people are trying to form a home school program in Nha Trang.

Where parents are working on VN country projects (i.e. NGO) children have been allowed to participate in local schools. Since VN schools are cash, paid monthly, it is very simple. The work ethic is very high, school books are well written (in VN, of course) and they generally follow Western practices. There is little 'political' education as is the case in China.
Source: WomPom Data - used with permission

Anyone having any good experience dealing with those schools having an autisme/ADHD/ADD kid? Do they allow a shadow teacher or even better one-to-one education/coaching?

I am also very much interested to know as well. If experience from international schools from Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur is any indication, it is extremely difficult. As mentioned above by Jaitch, they are pure for-profit machines. One thing is to pay 15-20KUSD from your own pocket for your kid(if your employer is not paying for it). Another thing is to get anything from it, if your kid is not the standard bright kid those schools want. They want to show that their schools produce bright kids going to well-known universities, so they don't want not-so-bright kids. These kids absorb resources hurting their bottom line, as well as pulling down the average scores hurting their image.

Some schools just flat out refuse to accept!! Some just don't allocate the extra teacher resources or adjust the schedule to adapt.

I have a son with a relatively minor learning difficulty and ADHD. I approached a few schools and a couple really made us feel like leppers!

I thought the British school was probably going to be best, but also so expensive. The Australian school is really still getting going and the International ISMC (one - sorry can't remember the name exactly) was same price as British pretty much.

We were going to go with ACG until we heard some real horror stories about the management of the school (lots of staff turn over, bullying of staff etc).

We ended up home schooling (and still are) until this coming August when we are going to throw our hat in with BIS I think. If you get any good leads please let us know though, home schooling is tough though we have some great tutors.

And if anyone knows of any behavioural specialists please send through as that's a big issue for us.

Tough work being a parent! But so rewarding.

Tim

The Australia School in Q3(I think) has a monthly building rent bill of USD$50,000. (I know who the owner is)

New 'campuses' have even bigger nuts to crack.

I left out one school, I will add by Monday.

Anetta: I concur with your opinions completely.

OP:
I sent you a message about Fossco School.

Hi TimBryce19, I think you should give ACG another look if you had good feelings about it initially! There is a very good Learning Support department there with a very dedicated teacher, Ms Thuman, in charge.

Not sure about the bad management that you referred to, but i work there and hand on heart, I have not experienced any bullying. Staff turnover is probably the same as any other international schools.On the other hand, there are teachers who have been with the school since its inception in 2007...

In terms of Behavioural Specialists, there is a gentleman called Tony Louw who runs Learning Strategies (or something of that nature). I think you can find him on Anphuneighbours google group.

All the best Tim and other parents with a need for Learning Support Services within an international school...

myco

Look for schools that are accredited by CIS or FOBISSEA.

BIS and ISHCMC are both fully accredited. When the school says it is accredited, check the CIS website. RISS claims to be accredited by both but has failed or been expelled for failing to employ qualified teachers.

Hi!I've been here in Vietnam for 5 years as Academic SPED Consultant/Specialist for children with special needs. I've been an outside support for British International school, Montessori school, and International school of Ho Chi Minh. They don't have mainstreaming here but if your child can cope up with academics they will accept. However these big school does not want to cater with children with special needs. It was very sad that they don't accept these kids. There's a new school near my place and accepting kids now as long as they are not agressive  and you will provide a shadow or somebody who has experienced in taking care of children with special needs.I just saw your post hope I can help you out. God bless.

I was reading in the VN press that there increased counts of Vietnamese children afflicted with autism. It wasn't clear whether this was an increase in detection or an increase in cases.

The commercial/industrial schools are only interested in money, as your comments highlight. At least some of them are recognising the challenges, which makes it easier for parents.

I hope the government/society will embrace these kids with Autism and some other problems. I'm still looking forward to have my own center here in Vietnam to cater those children with special needs from 2 years till Vocational, not only for the expat but also for the locals. My intention is to train them, for them to become more independent and to have also a job and to be part of this Society.I'm still praying for that one. It's hard to get license here...

Don't worry.Just talk to the professionals and things will be sorted out.

I have autist son too.And he goes to local international school,which was only place who wanted to accept him without additional fees.Very sad to know when people trying to make money on such kids without offering proper training & education...

Very interested on mizpha's intentions on opening own center...Because I was thinking to do the same. I am expat,but my partner is Vietnamese,so he could get a license here.
Please contact me mizpha.Would like to know more about you & your plans.Maybe we can assist each other.

Dear mizpha and Culpis,
I would be very strongly interested  in meeting you.
My Name is Doyle. I was born in Germany, and have started to study educational systems provided to people with Special Educational Needs. Its my aim to learn and share what I have learned to improve the quality of life of those is need. I have worked in Germany, England, New Zealand, Australia and looking for work in Vietnam.
I would be very happy to hear from you.
Doyle

doyle81 wrote:

I would be very happy to hear from you.
Doyle

You should send them a PM. The chances are they might not se your post.

You should also contact all the other centres mentioned in other posts.

And don't forget to post in PhuMyHungNeighbours(Google)(membership) or LivingInVietNam.com as all have had inquiries/posts about such potential patients.

I've already sent you a message.God bless.

doyle81 wrote:

Dear mizpha and Culpis,
I would be very strongly interested  in meeting you.
My Name is Doyle. I was born in Germany, and have started to study educational systems provided to people with Special Educational Needs. Its my aim to learn and share what I have learned to improve the quality of life of those is need. I have worked in Germany, England, New Zealand, Australia and looking for work in Vietnam.
I would be very happy to hear from you.
Doyle

Hi I enroll my son 7 years old to AIS school and when they found out my son had an mild autism which I mentioned on the application form, ( which i shouldn't) they give us no option but to compulsory needed a support assistant without waiting for  me to undergo the assessment. further more they need us to give them the decision the soonest and if u choose not to take it they will refund the school fees for u. In the previous school my son did not need any support assistant right after he was 6. I feel that the school really go for $ than really wanting to help my son as the principal keep mentioning the charges and the fees to us and even introduce his finest and professional therapist which also 'Australian' as they r very proud of saying it.  I feel really sad as they really take an advantage on those who are indeed of their support.

Whatever you do, do not send your child to the International Montessori School of Vietnam!!!!  You want your child to be in the best school, supervised by the best professional teachers. Especially so far away from home.. This I absolutely not the school where you want to send your child to.
Most of the teachers are unqualified, they are not holding the degree to be a teacher or montessori teacher. The director is very much into friendly politics and so she loves to hire friendly mums. All you have to do to get a job in this school is be really nice to the director really.
Most of the international schools will give a year-end book with pics at the end of the school year. At this school you "might" get one too in december during the NEXT school year... This says a lot about the professionalism and punctuality.
The school is very small with 3 levels, so you have to go upstairs. Dangerous for the small ones as there are no security gates.
Money is a very important thing for miss director. Upon registration, she expects you to pay asap!! Don't worry you will get plenty of reminders by email or sms.
Don't say I didn't warn you...

Hi! I'm An Academic SPED Consultant/Director of the group called STEPS(SUPPORTS TEACH ENCOURAGE PERSON WITH SPECIAL NEEDS) .We cater to children with difficulties such as Autism,ADHD/ADD, Speech delay , Behavioral Problem and others. I have been  supporting children with special needs here in Vietnam for 8 years and also send staff to become a shadow teacher. You can try AIS (Australian International school) European School, and Saigon Pearl they accept children with special needs as long as there is a support specialist to support your son. I have clients in that school that I mentioned. Please just drop an email so I can help you.

Blessings,
Mariecris Buenviaje -STEPS

@ mizpha > Can you please register your company in the business directory? It may also help other members.

Thank you,

Priscilla

I have a friend who runs a large company in California that contracts with schools and other government entities as well as with parents to provide trained workers to work with autistic children.  Although he sees himself as an entrepreneur, netting over $1 million per year, he is of course highly dependent, directly or indirectly, on government funding. 

He has been toying with the idea of setting up a similar business in HCMC but with the idea that the wealthiest individuals in the country would be his source of revenue as opposed to the government.  I don't expect that he, or those who already provide such services, would be inexpensive.  In fact they might be more expensive than similar treatment in the west where insurance and government assistance pick up a substantial portion of the tab.

@mizpha

Hello, I too am hoping to move to Vietnam. I have a 3 year old son who is mildly autistic. He's currently attending ABA therapy here in the states. I hope to find more information on therapy centers in Vietnam or schools that could help my son transition and integrate into society it we did move to Vietnam. Thank you! I hope to hear from you or anyone else that may help.

    @mizpha
Hello, I too am hoping to move to Vietnam. I have a 3 year old son who is mildly autistic. He's currently attending ABA therapy here in the states. I hope to find more information on therapy centers in Vietnam or schools that could help my son transition and integrate into society it we did move to Vietnam. Thank you! I hope to hear from you or anyone else that may help.
   

    -@Tonee Nguyen88

While I'm not aware of particular programs that address your child's needs, it's very important to understand that (unlike many places in the USA) there is a price to pay for all types of education here in Vietnam, including special needs.

Only orphaned indigent Vietnamese citizen children receive a bare-bones state-financed education.

Everyone else pays for some part of tuition, even in elementary school.

Also, any state sponsored program would be exclusively for Vietnamese citizen children.

So your search will almost certainly need to begin in the private sector at International schools.