Winta's Place · School ProgramRISE — Specialist Special Needs Program
Our special education program (8am–3:30pm) for neurodiverse learners who need more support.
One place, one team, one individual learning plan — instead of a fragmented week that never quite fits.
A specialist special needs program for verbal, socially engaged neurodiverse children and teens aged 6–18 — autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and developmental delays. Every RISE student has an individual learning plan (ILP) spanning academics, communication, regulation, life skills and health, delivered in classes of no more than six students per classroom with two teachers and visiting therapists embedded in the team.
RISE is the specialist special education program at Winta's Place in Ubud, Bali, for neurodiverse children and teens who need more than a mainstream classroom can give. Students are grouped by developmental age and shared interests, each with an individual learning plan covering academics, social and communication skills, emotional regulation, health, physical development and life skills — with occupational therapists and a social worker working inside the team, not down the road.
Everything that makes RISE — Specialist Special Needs Program what it is.
Individual Learning Plans (ILPs)
Every student has a personalised plan across academics, social skills, emotional regulation, health, physical development, culture and passion areas — reviewed continuously with parents.
Developmental-age grouping
Students are grouped by developmental age and shared interests, not just birth year — so both learning and friendships genuinely fit.
Embedded therapy team
Visiting occupational therapists, speech support and a social worker work inside the school week, coordinated with teachers rather than outsourced.
Regulation before academics
Sensory needs, co-regulation and nervous-system safety come first. Behaviour is treated as communication, never as defiance.
Communication & social skills
Daily explicit teaching of conversation, friendship, self-advocacy and emotional language, practised with peers and supported by staff.
Life skills & independence
Cooking, self-care, tidying, money, travel and community safety practised in real settings, scaffolded to each student's level.
Academics at the right level
An internationally recognised online curriculum, delivered in short supported blocks at each student's actual working level.
Movement, OT & sensory time
Yoga, brain-gym, swimming, walks and sensory breaks built into every day, not squeezed in when there's time.
Passion projects & strengths
Deep interests are treated as an asset and used as the route into curriculum, motivation and future work skills.
Parent–teacher app
Daily updates, goals, therapy notes and celebrations shared with parents and coordinated external practitioners.
Family support built in
Parent coaching, sibling support and honest, regular conversations about what's working and what isn't.
Community & real-world practice
Markets, cafés, farms and outings used deliberately to practise skills where they actually matter.
A typical RISE day
- 7:00–8:30Breakfast Club (optional)A soft, predictable start with cooking, tidying and morning routine. Strictly device-free.
- 8:30–9:30Move · Meditate · MotivateSharing circle, regulation and sensory time, yoga or meditation, and a nature walk or brain-gym block.
- 9:45–12:00Foundation time (ILP academics)Short, high-support blocks and stations at each student's level, driven by their individual learning plan.
- 12:00–1:00Lunch & downtimeShared, healthy meals with sensory-aware options.
- 1:00–2:30Passion projects · Art · Music/DramaStrength-led projects and creative sessions that build confidence, communication and motivation.
- 2:30–3:15Specialists & group timeSocial, communication and emotional development with teachers, OTs and the social worker. 1:1 specialist sessions rotate through the month.
- 3:15–3:30Pack up & home timeOr continue into Wild & Free after-school care until 6:30pm (optional extra).
Friday Fun Day closes the week with a community outing and a sharing celebration, plus work-experience opportunities for older students.
The full 7-day week
Predictable rhythm across every day — school Monday to Friday, with optional weekend and respite support.
Time | Mon Monday | Tue Tuesday | Wed Wednesday | Thu Thursday | Fri Friday | Sat Saturday | Sun Sunday |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7:00 – 8:30 Breakfast Club Optional extra | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | Morning routine · cooking · tidying | — | — |
8:30 – 9:30 Move · Meditate · Motivate | 20/20/20 · yoga · brain gym | 20/20/20 · nature walk | 20/20/20 · fitness with trainer | 20/20/20 · meditation & sharing | 20/20/20 · gratitude circle | Weekend Club opens — slow start, breakfast together | Rest & respite day — quiet mornings |
9:45 – 12:00 Foundation Time (core academics) | Maths · English · reading | Science · writing | Maths · English · reading | History · geography | Review · reading · project prep | Light activities · friendships · outings | Just be — hanging together or solo time |
12:00 – 1:00 Lunch | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Shared nourishing meal | Community lunch | Shared meal at the villa | Shared meal at the villa |
1:00 – 2:30 Passion Projects / Arts | Passion projects / genius time | Art | Passion projects / genius time | Music & drama | Friday Fun Day — community outing | Light outing · waterfall · beach · farm | Free play · reading · downtime |
2:30 – 3:15 Group Time — social & emotional | Communication · regulation | 1:1 specialist rotations | Communication · regulation | 1:1 specialist rotations | Sharing & celebration of the week | Friendship time | Rest continues |
3:15 – 3:30 Pack up & Home | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Reflection & transition | Parent connection & community gathering | — | — |
3:30 – 6:30 After School — Wild & Free Optional extra | Nature · farm · therapy sessions | Bikes · cooking · therapy sessions | Waterfalls · art · therapy sessions | Farm · mindful time · therapy sessions | Wild & free · early dinner by 6pm | Continues — outings & 1:1 time | Gentle activities · early dinner |
Evening / overnight Respite & live-in Optional extra | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight respite available | Overnight stays — familiar staff | Overnight stays — familiar staff |
Is this the right fit for your family?
We're honest about who each program serves best. If you're not sure, a WhatsApp conversation is the fastest way to find out.
- Verbal neurodiverse children and teens aged 6–18 who are socially interested
- Students on the autism spectrum, or with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia or developmental delays
- Children who need an individual learning plan and a higher support ratio
- Families who want therapy, education and life skills coordinated by one team
- Expat and local families in Ubud, Canggu and greater Bali seeking a special needs school
Who RISE is not for
We are not a profound special-needs setting. Students who need 1:1 medical care, are non-verbal without communication supports, or need round-the-clock behavioural intervention will be better supported elsewhere. We're honest about fit — see Who We Support for the full picture.
Common questions about RISE — Specialist Special Needs Program.
What's the difference between RISE and THRIVE?+
RISE is our specialist special needs program, with individual learning plans and embedded therapy support. THRIVE is our mainstream holistic alternative school for children who don't need specialist provision but do want a smaller, calmer, whole-child education.
Do you require a diagnosis?+
No formal diagnosis is required to start a conversation, but we do need to understand your child's profile so we can honestly assess fit. Admissions is a step-by-step process, not a form.
Which needs do you support?+
Autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, developmental delays, anxiety and sensory processing differences, in verbal and socially interested students aged 6 to 18.
Is therapy included?+
Occupational therapy and social-work support are embedded in the school week. Additional 1:1 therapy blocks can be booked through our therapy program.
Ready to talk about Rise — Specialist Learning?
A WhatsApp message is the simplest first step. We reply personally, usually the same day.