While money ideally should not be an issue, oftentimes it is. Not all special-needs schools requires tuition in the way that a private school does, but many do. When this is the case, you can apply for government grants that can eliminate (or at least ease) the financial burden. When the high tuition of a special school is compared to the free price tag of a public school with special education classes integrated into it, the choice can be difficult.
Placing a student in an environment where the other children share similar difficulties with him can come at the price of making him less integrated with the rest of society. The more time he spends away from public institutions and the mainstream environment, the harder it may be to go back to it at a later point.
Depending on the severity and nature of the disability, being transferred to a special-needs school may make the child feel alienated from friends, siblings and neighbors. There are, of course, situations where this could lead to greater self-acceptance on the part of the individual, but students with minor learning disabilities who were sufficiently socially integrated may feel as though their disability is tearing them away from a comfortable situation.
Countless types of special schools cater to the needs of the blind, deaf, behaviorally challenged and those with developmental disabilities, just to name a few. However, this does not guarantee that the type of school that is required will necessarily be in the area. This means that in addition to changing schools, the family may be forced to move to a completely different area. This could lead to additional disruptions in the lives of all involved.
If a student is not truly in need of the special school (such as a child with moderate ADD, ADHD or a minor behavioral problem), they may feel as though they are stuck with the label of being a special-needs student, which usually comes along with more serious implications.