Looking for a Special Education School in Bali? Here Is What Parents Need to Know
Searching for a special education school in Bali? Discover how neurodivergent children aged 6–18 thrive in small-group settings combining academics, therapy, and family support.
Finding the right special education school in Bali requires looking beyond traditional international schools and specialized disability centres. For neurodivergent children who are verbal, active, and socially interested, Winta's Place in Pejeng, Ubud provides an individualised environment aged 6–18. Combining the internationally recognised Schoolio online curriculum with small peer groups (maximum eight students), integrated therapies, and life skills, it bridges the gap for kids who struggle in mainstream classrooms without needing a severe-disability setting.
What options exist for special education in Bali?
Parents searching for a special education school in Bali often hit an unexpected roadblock. Mainstream international schools across the island frequently struggle to provide adequate learning adjustments, leading to sensory overwhelm, academic frustration, or school refusal. Conversely, traditional special needs facilities are often designed for severe physical or cognitive disabilities, leaving active, verbal neurodivergent kids without a true peer group.
Winta's Place was built specifically to fill this gap. Located in Pejeng, Ubud, it serves as a specialised English-speaking learning environment and family-support community for children and teenagers aged 6 to 18. Designed for students who fall "in the middle," the school weaves individualised academics, occupational and speech therapy coordination, life-skills training, and outdoor movement into a single predictable schedule.
Who thrives in an adapted Bali learning environment?
Not every neurodiverse child requires the same level of support, which is why choosing the right environment depends heavily on your child's specific profile. The ideal setting for a child with learning differences offers small group sizes, clear daily routines, and a focus on personal strengths rather than diagnosis labels.
Our setting is tailored specifically for children who are verbal, curious, and socially interested, but require adapted teaching methods to flourish. We support students with a wide range of learning and developmental profiles, including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Verbal children who benefit from structured visual schedules, social communication support, and lower-sensory spaces.
- ADHD and AuDHD: Active learners who require movement breaks, sensory input, and interest-led learning to maintain executive focus.
- Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Dyscalculia: Students who need foundational academic subjects taught at their actual skill level rather than their biological age.
- Anxiety and School Refusal: Children who have burned out in traditional environments and need a gentle, coregulated space to rebuild confidence.
- Global Developmental Delays: Children who need practical life skills integrated alongside functional literacy and numeracy.
To ensure safety and high-quality support, our program is not currently set up for non-verbal children requiring intensive alternative communication systems, children needing 1:1 full-day behavioural intervention, or those with severe physical disabilities requiring specialized equipment. You can review our full eligibility criteria on our who we support page.
How does the curriculum balance academics, therapy, and life skills?
Many families moving to or living in Bali end up driving across the island daily to manage tutors, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, and after-school carers. A holistic special education program brings these puzzle pieces together under one roof.
At Winta's Place, academic learning is anchored by the internationally recognised Schoolio online curriculum, customized through individualised learning plans (ILPs). Rather than forcing every student to follow a rigid grade level, children work at their actual level across each subject area. Academic blocks are balanced with practical life skills—such as cooking, budgeting, self-care, and community safety—and daily outdoor learning taking advantage of Bali's natural landscape.
``` +-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| Standard Mainstream | Specialist Setting at Winta's Place |
|---|
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+
| 20–30 kids per class | Small peer groups (max 8 kids with 2 teachers) |
|---|---|
| Rigid age-based grade | Individual Learning Plans matched to actual level |
| Therapy outside school | Integrated speech, OT, and psychological support |
| Standard 12-wk breaks | Continuous rhythm with only 5 fully-closed weeks/year |
+-----------------------+-------------------------------------------------------+ ```
Therapy coordination is built directly into the school week via our integrated therapy model. Visiting speech therapists, occupational therapists, and counsellors work alongside our teaching staff, reducing travel stress for parents while ensuring consistent strategies across home and school.
How does Winta's Place support the wider family unit?
Special education is rarely just about the child; it impacts the whole family. Long school holiday breaks, chaotic afternoon schedules, and parental burnout are common challenges for families of neurodivergent children.
To solve these pressure points, our framework includes wraparound programs designed to restore balance to family life:
- Continuous Yearly Rhythm: Traditional 12-week school holidays can cause severe destabilisation for children who rely on predictability. We remain open for most of the year, closing for only five weeks total, and offer themed school holiday programs during break periods.
- Wraparound Care: Optional before and after school care provides a calm, device-free Breakfast Club and outdoor afternoon activities like farm visits, art, and movement.
- Respite and Rest: Weekend care and short-term overnight respite are available through our weekend and respite program, giving parents real rest while children enjoy safe, familiar peer surroundings.
- Transparent Progress: Parents keep track of daily regulation, food, social wins, and academic growth through our dedicated parent communication app.
What should you ask when evaluating a school in Bali?
When exploring educational options in Ubud or wider Bali for your neurodivergent child, consider asking prospective schools these practical questions:
- What is the student-to-educator ratio? Large classrooms often trigger sensory overload. Look for small groups where educators can observe subtle regulation cues.
- How are subjects adjusted for multi-level learners? Ensure the school delivers curriculum based on skill level rather than age.
- How are therapies integrated? Ask if private therapists can liaise with classroom staff to align goals.
- How is behaviour managed? Look for trauma-informed environments that treat behaviour as communication rather than using exclusion or shame.
If you are evaluating schooling options for your family, learn more about our foundational approach on our our approach page or review our transparent fee structures on our pricing page.
Next steps for your family
Finding the right learning environment is an important decision, especially when relocating or navigating alternative education in Bali. If your child is verbal, active, socially interested, and needs a warm, adapted setting to thrive, we welcome you to reach out.
Contact our admissions team to discuss your child's profile, ask questions, or arrange a conversation with our program director.
Wondering whether Winta's Place would suit your child? You can read the full parent guide first — no phone call required.
Download the parent guideFrequently asked questions
What age groups are supported at Winta's Place in Bali?
Winta's Place supports neurodiverse children and teenagers aged approximately 6 to 18 years old in small, developmental-age peer groups.
Is Winta's Place suitable for non-verbal children?
Currently, Winta's Place is specifically designed for children who are verbal, active, and socially interested. It is not currently set up for non-verbal children requiring intensive alternative communication systems.
Where is the school located in Bali?
Winta's Place is located in Pejeng, near Ubud, Bali, surrounded by nature and traditional village surroundings.
How many weeks a year is the school open?
To help neurodivergent children maintain predictability and routine, Winta's Place closes for only five weeks per year, running themed School Holiday Programs during standard term breaks.