Parent Lauds Strengthening Support for Special Needs Children

The Government of Jamaica continues to demonstrate its commitment to the inclusion and empowerment of children with special needs, through expanded programmes and services.

Coordinated through the Special Education Unit (SEU) in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, these initiatives are designed to ensure that every Jamaican child, regardless of ability, has equitable access to quality education, early assessment, and appropriate intervention.

One Kingston parent, Jerome Powers, is among those who have benefited from the services provided through the SEU.

The corporate professional is the father of a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which is a neurological and developmental condition that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave.

“When he was around two, I started to realise he wasn’t hitting certain milestones,” Mr. Powers tells JIS News.

He says that although the initial process of securing a diagnosis was challenging, the assistance he later received through the Ministry’s SEU made a significant difference.

“I visited the Special Education Unit in the Ministry [and] they gave me information about the different institutions that could provide support,” he notes.

“Once you get to the SEU, the experience is a wonderful one. They’re patient, kind, and caring. You feel like they genuinely want to help your child,” Mr. Powers adds.

Despite the emotional and logistical challenges of the journey, Mr. Powers says that the Ministry’s involvement has provided his family with renewed hope.

“[My son’s school] has made strides to accommodate him and other students with special needs, so they don’t feel different. Even other parents and students have been welcoming,” he says.

Still, he has called for measures to increase public awareness about autism and other challenges and information about available resources.

“I think more information needs to be in the public’s sphere about autism, and not just autism, but special needs,” Mr. Powers says.

“You have other persons with physical and mental challenges too that we need to integrate into society and ensure that the Government does a good job in expanding and improving these programmes,” he continues.

Though the task may prove daunting at times, Mr. Powers’ advice to other parents/guardians with autistic or special needs children is to know that “they are not any different”.

“They need love, they need care. They need attention and they need emotional support, just like the ‘normal’ children need, and we don’t want to be abusing them or creating environments that will not foster love and inclusion for them. They are pretty awesome [and] intelligent. They are just a bit different,” he notes.

Mr. Powers shares that his hope is for continued improvements in the available intervention programmes for special needs children in Jamaica, and an increase in centres and available resources to significantly decrease wait times.

A 2024 Weekly Epidemiology Bulletin from the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW) estimates that approximately one in every 100 children in Jamaica is diagnosed with autism.

The report also highlights that while early signs often appear in childhood, formal diagnoses can sometimes be delayed due to limited awareness.

In response, the Government has intensified inter-ministerial collaboration between the education and health ministries to improve early detection, assessment, and continuous care for children with special needs.

This partnership underscores the Administration’s holistic approach to supporting Jamaican families and ensuring that no child is left behind.

Education Minister, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, reaffirms the Government’s commitment to strengthening early intervention systems across the education sector, and enhancing training, resources, and infrastructure in early-childhood institutions to better identify and address special needs and learning gaps from the earliest possible stage.

A new curriculum for students with moderate to profound intellectual disabilities has been developed by the Ministry in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders.

The curriculum emphasises functional academics, life skills, language, communication, science, and physical education to foster self-determination and appropriate social interaction for these students.

“The Government of Jamaica remains steadfast in ensuring that support is available to assess, identify, and meet the needs of all our children. Every child, regardless of ability, deserves the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and inclusive learning environment,” Dr. Morris Dixon states.

Established in 1989, the SEU plays a critical role in coordinating services for children with disabilities and learning differences.

The Unit is responsible for supervising special-education schools and units; coordinating assessments and school placements; providing individualised student support, including examination accommodations and teacher aides; producing accessible learning materials such as Braille and large-print texts; and facilitating training programmes for teachers and other education stakeholders.

These services form part of the Government’s continued thrust to strengthen the framework for special education and ensure that students with special needs are provided with the necessary tools to reach their full potential.

Parents and guardians of children with special needs or developmental challenges are encouraged to contact the SEU located at the Caenwood Centre at 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5 at 876-922-1400-9; 876-612-5700-2; 876-967-2312, or via email at specialedu@moey.gov.jm for guidance and more information.