Schools for Mentally Disabled Children

Evaluation and Capabilities

• The first step to deciding on a school for a mentally disabled child is a diagnosis by a health care professional. The term "learning disabled" has many levels. Special education programs aim to help mentally handicapped students perform at their greatest potential, so a child with a high functioning mental disability, such as Asperger syndrome, has more options than another child with a lower functioning disability. In other cases, homeschooling or a tutoring facility for special education children is necessary.

Learning Disabled Programs

• The public school system has programs for the learning disabled. A child who falls behind and shows symptoms of a learning disorder takes tests to determine placement into these programs, if the disability is not already known. All public schools must adhere to a federal standard and provide special education programs. These classes teach children basic skills and meet their special needs, but parents should always be communicative with teachers to make sure that the child receives the right type of care and tutelage in public school. State departments of education provide information to the public on specific regulations.

K-12 Private Schools

• Private special education schools often provide programs specific to a child's learning disability. The National Association of Private Special Education Centers maintains a list of all private facilities registered. These schools span the United States and offer educational services for all types of mental disorders in children and adults. The Open Directory Project lists special education schools around the globe, including schools like Children's Institute for Learning Differences in Washington and Green Tree School in Philadelphia.

Tutoring

• If you feel uncomfortable with public and private facilities, homeschooling with a tutor or private educator is another option. Before hiring an in home teacher, you should always check for completion of a teacher's license and special education training. LifeWorks has community services for mentally disabled children that include specialized tutoring services. Another idea is to seek tutors from online special education directories, such as TutorMatch or Eduwizards.