SPECIAL NEEDS
Educational Programmes
Counseling & Therapy
Self-Help & Support Groups
Online Resources
Educational Programmes
CAN-DO (Christian Access to Neuro-Developmental Organization) is an organization that provides individualized home programs for families with brain-impaired or brain-injured children with ongoing mail support.
HARVEY & MACLAURIN’S
3-19-23-1003 Takanawa Minato-ku, Tokyo (7 mins from Shinagawa JR Stn) Phone: 03-3473-6896
The school’s mission is to provide special education and therapy in order to support children with special needs such as developmental disabilities (ADHD, PDD, LD), Autism, CP and so on. Services include motor-skill training, coordination with eye and motor-skills, speech therapy (revised ABA), movement exercises, art activities, social skill training and communication skill training. The school operates a full-time day school programme is called self-acquired applied behavioral learning/advanced applied behavioral approach, with an individual program according to original IEP plan. Individual counseling and program design will be done by Professional Occupational therapists and psychologists. Family counseling will be included in the session. The school is also well-known for its tutoring program and/or after-school program according to individual’s needs in which arts and fundamental learning activity based on Waldorf-Steiner and Montessori is also included. Free consultation initially. The school can assist in applying for Japanese government aid and finding places in special schools provided by the government for certain types of handicaps such as Down’s syndrome, autism, blindness, etc. Curriculum is in English only but there are Japanese speaking staff.
Note: Some other Montessori and Steiner schools are sometimes able to accommodate children with special needs or at least mild forms of autism. Check out schools at our Waldorf or Steiner schools directory and Montessori schools in Japan (international and Japanese) listing
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL SUPPORT SERVICES (TOKYOIS)
3-18-16 Meguro Honcho, Meguro-ku Phone: 03-3710-1331 Fax: 03-3710-1193 Email
Special education classes, tutoring for any subject, and consultation services for students with learning difficulties or who need preparation in English for entering international schools. Also assistance in finding a suitable school or remedial class. Junior and high school correspondence courses available.
INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOL
4-17-26 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073 Phone: 03-5730-1331 Fax: 3710-1193 Email
International Secondary School founders recognized the need to provide flexible learning options for students with a variety of learning needs. The school prides itself on having created a positive and stimulating learning environment for international students in Tokyo. International Secondary School is a private 6-12 co-educational scool providing an American Style accredited international education for secondary school students. International Secondary School is underpinned by the ‘small school’ philosophy and instills in students communication skills, achievement, respect and empowerment. For many students, small class sizes, quality instructional practices and a supportive and ‘success’ oriented environment prepares them for a lifetime of learning. small classes and personal attention for middle and high school students from a variety of backgrounds, including students with special needs. Special Needs Services provide for the education needs of individuals with exceptional needs. Support offered by the school is designed to accommodate the learning styles and abilities of students who have Individual Education Programs. Accreditation is achieved through distance learning courses.
JAPAN PORTAGE ASSOCIATION (page is in Japanese)
Dai 10 Tanaka Bldg. 3F Rm. 2 3-54-4 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo 166-0012 Phone: 03-3313-4822 Fax: 03-3313-2575
The Portage Guide for Early Education (PGEE) is a support method for young children and infants who have disabilities, and their families.
PACIFIC LEARNING CENTER
2-13-8 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku.(near Summerhill Intl School) Phone: 03-5440-7441.
The center offers intensive ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) programs for children and adolescents awith autism spectrum disorder and other related disorders. The aim is to improve the areas of deficits (language or motor skills) and decrease the areas that are excesses (like tantrums, excessive rituals, etc.) to make it possible for the child to move toward being in a typical classroom. 80% of the programs are in English but they are capable of implementing them fully in Japanese. Interested parents should go in to meet with them. The first step is to set up an initial workshop of one and a half days of working with the child developing an individualized program and educating the parents. Then a team of therapists will be brought in to start implementing the program. See this page
PARENT’S AUTISM SERIES
Offers online courses free to parents of children with autism to help them assess their own children, better understand autism and to inform parents on the educating methods for children diagnosed with autism.
“MAXIMIZING POTENTIAL IN JAPAN” (MPIJ) is a new school (Est. 2008) focusing on Special Education and/or students with learning differences from age 5 to 14. MPIJ is currently targeting primary & secondary school scholars with Learning Differences, Motivation Passivity, and Attendance Challenges. Its goal is to directly address and partially fill the “Tokyo Void” of Certified, Credible, English Language/Bilingual Special Education and Custom Education services. The school provides instruction and Special Ed services to students in small groups (maximum of 5), as well as one-on-one customized sessions. Principal and Head Teacher Bill Ward is certified in Special Education from Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA, so implementation and/or creation of IEPs is possible. Teaching is carried out using the three primary learning and retention modalities: 1) Auditory, 2) Visual, and 3) Kinesthetic. Music and Movement is included in the curriculum, utilizing a full-size upright piano, percussion equipment, guitar, mandolin and assorted other instruments. A balanced program including Art, Dance, Juggling, and Magic is offered to supplement the traditional academic areas of Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Studies and the Sciences. Field Trips are scheduled on a regular basis, to provide students with the opportunity to learn from the world around them. The two sun-lit classrooms are located within walking distance from Azabu Juban and Shirogane Takanawa Stations. Parking is also available.
Website: http://www.MPIJ.us
Address: Ai IS, 4F; 5-4-4 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 152-0035
Phone: 090-9349-2058, Fax: 03-3224-0916 Email: bward@MPIJ.us
MUSASHINO-HIGASHI SCHOOL IN TOKYO (MUSASHINO HIGASHI GAKUEN)
3-25-3 Nishikubo Musashino-city Tokyo 180-0013 Phone: 0422-54-8611
A K-High School that offers schooling in English for both regular and autistic children with some joint needs provided and which, from its beginnings, has included children with autism in classes with more typically developing peers to the fullest extent possible, for the benefit of both. The Tokyo campus, the first, inspired and spawned several other branches worldwide.
TOKYO INTERNATIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY 2-51-7 Tama-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo 183-002 Phone: 042-401-0585 Fax: 042-401-0588 TILC is an international school for children with special needs. It offers early childhood program including pre-school classroom, speech and language services as well as occupational therapy (psychological and physical therapy as well). Learning disabilities group meets on Saturday mornings. Using a multidisciplinary approach secpail education teachers and therapists work with other families to develop individually tailored education program, including emphasis on academic and life skills for independence. Bus service is available. Hometraining program or a tutor may be arranged.
Counseling & Therapy
AMI COUNSELING, Dr. Ana Maloyan-Kishida
5F Manaka Building, 3-17-5 Shiroganedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo Phone/Fax: 03-3448-1272
Offers a range of services designed for the foreign community in Japan, including crisis intervention, cross-cultural issues, couples, families and groups.
ASSOCIATION OF FOREIGN SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS
Phone: 03-3783-0113 Email
Therapy in English for children and adults in the Kanto area and will give Speech/Language Therapy referrals.
Located in Kobe (Hyogo Prefecture) Mobile: 080-6540-5623 (from Japan) / 080-6540-5623 (from outside of Japan) Email
Provides comprehensive behavioral services to individuals with (including but not limited to) Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism, Rett’s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Asperger’s Disorder) Mental Retardation, Downs Syndrome, Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD) and Schizophrenia.
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Cecil Burton
The CEE BEE Center
1-16 Mikasa-cho,Takarazuka-shi
Hyogo Prefecture 665-0863
Tel: 090-2859-7075
Blog http://ameblo.jp/ceebee (日本語)
Blog http://ameblo.jp/theceebeecenter (English)
SPED Meet up group
http://www.meetup.com/Kansai-Special-Education-Support-Group/
COUNSELING AND SUPPORT IN JAPAN (in English)
A ‘bilingual’ (English/Japanese) site by clinical psychologist Andrew Grimes which aims to give information on counseling, psychotherapy, online support, self-help groups and mental health care available in Japan and also to provide a forum where anyone experiencing emotional difficulties relating to a wide range of issues can communicate their feelings and get support.
The Tokyo Child and Adolescent Counseling Services provides professional and confidential counseling for children and adolescents in both English and Japanese in the Shibuya-Ebisu area in central Tokyo – 4 minute walk from the Yutenji station on the Hibiya and Tokyo Lines.
DR ALLEN L. ROBINSON, PhD Psychologist, psychotherapist
Star Plaza Aoyama 1001 1-10-3 Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-3407-5696 Email
HOZUMI CLINIC
26-4, Minami Ikebukuro 1-chome,Toshima-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-989-4953
INSTITUTE OF PSYCHOANALYTIC-SYSTEMS AND PSYCHOTHERAPY
Highland Building 3F, 3-5-19 Higashiyama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-3760-3631
Services in English on Wednesdays (2-6 pm)
IKEBUKURO COUNSELING CENTER
25-4, Minami Ikebukuro 1-chome,Toshima-ku, Tokyo 03-3980-8718
The center has afforded professional English speaking counselling and psychotherapy for both the international community, as well as psychotherapy in Japanese for the local Japanese community since 1992.The Center handles individual counseling, marriage and couples counseling; particularly Japanese-Western couples, family counseling, and group psychotherapy in English, Japanese, Spanish, and Chinese.
INTERNATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS JAPAN
IMHPJ can give you a list of therapists located Japan wide
THE JAPAN HELPLINE
6-19-65, Azabudai 1-chome,Minato-ku, Tokyo Phone: 0120-461997
OHNOGO PSYCHOTHERAPY AND COUNSELING CLINIC
Azabudai Flats 302, 3-3-27 Azabudai, Minato-ku Tokyo (10min from Roppongi or Roppongi Itchome Stn Phone: 03-3560-6641 Fax: 03-3560-6642)
PACIFIC LEARNING CENTER
2-13-8 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku.(near Summerhill Intl School) Phone: 03-5440-7441.
The center offers intensive ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis) programs for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and other related disorders. The aim is to improve the areas of deficits (language or motor skills) and decrease the areas that are excesses (like tantrums, excessive rituals, etc.) to make it possible for the child to move toward being in a typical classroom. 80% of the programs are in English but they are capable of implementing them fully in Japanese. Interested parents should go in to meet with them. The first step is to set up an initial workshop of one and a half days of working with the child developing an individualized program and educating the parents. Then a team of therapists will be brought in to start implementing the program.
MEGURO COUNSELING CENTER
Douglas Berger, MD, PhD is a board-certified psychiatrist
27-2, Yutenji 1-chome, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-3716-6624 Phone: 03-3716-6624
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE DISORDER REFERRALS
Phone: 03-3780-0030 Email
Therapists who are members of the Association of Foreign Speech Pathologists can provide therapy in English for adults and children in the Kanto area.
The SPECIAL KIDS JAPAN (SKJ) list Join this forum whose members might be able to help with all sorts of issues including finding schools.
during the 2010-11 school year. The TELL office is in the new Wesley Center. Please see the attached map for more information. Email: excep.parents@telljp.com*TOKYO ENGLISH LIFE LINE (TELL) and TELL COMMUNITY COUNSELING SERVICES (TCCS)
4-22, Minami Aoyama 5-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-5774-0992
Professional therapists offer face to face individual, couples and family counselling. Sliding fee scale. Phone: (English) 03-3498-0231 / (Japanese) 03-3498-0232 TELL operates a freeanonymous SOS lifeline: 03-5774-09922
TOKYO CHILD & ADOLESCENT THERAPY SERVICE IN TOKYO Doug Berger, M.D., PhD. Director
The Tokyo Child and Adolescent Counseling Services provides professional and confidential counselling for children and adolescents in both English and Japanese in the Shibuya-Ebisu area of central Tokyo, 4 minutes walk from Yutenji station on the Hibiya and Toyoko Lines. The therapists, counselors, and psychologist at the Tokyo Child and Adolescent Counseling Services are fluent in English, Japanese, and Spanish, and are experienced in treating children and adolescents from a number of cultural backrounds, and in particular mixed Western-Japanese children. Problems within the clinic’s experience include behavioral disorders of childhood and adolescence (Communication Disorders, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Separation Anxiety Disorders), learning disorders (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD)), self-confidence problems, relationship/family problems, depression, anxiety/panic, , phobias, substance and alcohol abuse, history of traumatic experiences (PTSD)/child abuse, Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism, Asberger’s Disorder, and other related Autistic disorders), Tourette’s and Tic Disorders, etc. Phone: 03-3716-6624
TOKYO THERAPY
Pair City Takanawa, 4-14-1-608 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 108-0074 Phone: 03-3449-2526 Fax: 03-3449-5909
Call the Australian female Clinical Psychologist for face to face or phone counselling.
VOLUNTARY COUNSELLING ADVISORY SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS FROM ABROAD (CASA)
Provides advice for foreign students on housing problems, Japanese visas, and general difficulties of daily life in Japan. Among the services offered is a publication called “A Guide to Housing for Foreign Students”. They also have information on scholarships and publish a monthly newsletter “Koryu Network” Phone: 03-3465-7550
Self-Help & Support Groups
THE ASPERGER SOCIETY OF JAPAN
There is a local group for children with Asperger’s syndrome living in the Tokai region (Nagoya area) with an English homepage. Email Professor Masatsugu Tsujii.
“ASPE-LD” PARENT ASSOCIATIONS (throughout the Tokai Region) for Asperger’s, High Functioning Autism, and LD – in Japanese only
AUTISM SOCIETY OF JAPAN (Nihon Jiheisho Kyokai) – in Japanese only
There are also a number of prefectures that have branches of their own.
2-2-8 Nishi Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0051 Phone: 03-3232-6478 Email
DYSLEXIA SOCIETY OF JAPAN (NPO EDGE)
Phone: 03-5413-3356, Fax: 03-5413-3358 Email
EDGE (Extraordinary, Dyslexic, Gifted and Eclectic) was founded to promote awareness of developmental dyslexia and to provide support to dyslexic children, parents and teachers. Support includes tools such as assessment and solutions to difficulties dyslexic people face through computers, talking books, assisting volunteers, consulting, etc.
JAPAN – THE INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION
JAPAN DYSLEXIA RESEARCH ASSOCIATION
Junko Kato, M.D. President
c/o Kato Clinic
Kowa Bldg, 3F Nakasaiwaicho
3-32-7 Saiwai-ku
Kawasaki-city 212-0012
JAPAN
Telephone: 0-(118) 144-5220-011
Fax: 0-(118) 114-5985-7525
Email: jkato@mb.infoweb.ne.jp
EXCEPTIONAL PARENTS PROGRAM (Tokyo)
Tokyo English Life Line Community Counseling Service Exceptional Parents Program invites you to join a wonderful group of parents to learn about topics relevant to special needs. The Exceptional Parents program strives to provide an educational forum for families who are meeting the challenges of raising children with disabilities. Speakers from various fields related to disabilities, introduce and facilitate discussion on topics of interest. Meetings are held throughout October to May at the TELL Community Counseling Service campus in Minami-Aoyama. For more info email them.
JAPANESE ASSOCIATION FOR AUTISM(Nihon Jiheisho Kyokai)
2-2-8 Nishi-Waseda, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Phone: 03-3232-6478
JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF HEARING-IMPAIRED CHILDREN, JAPAN(Nanchoji o Motsu Oya no Kai)
3-15-4-118 Higashi-Nogawa, Komae-shi, Tokyo Phone: 03-3488-0414
JAPAN LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION
Zenkoku Gakushu Shogai Ji Renrakukai 39-1 Nishi-Shinchi, Chita-shi, Aichi-ken Phone: 045-333-3232 (contact Mr Yamada in English or Japanese)
Comprises 48 regional parents’ support groups that encourage an exchange of information and strive for governmental legislation
THE LEARNING DISABILITIES ASSOCIATION OF TOKYO
Contact them via email
NATIONAL PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION OF LEARNING DISABILITIES IN JAPAN (Zenkoku LD Oya no Kai)
c/o Tokyo Volunteer Center #27, 1-1 Kaguragashi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0823 Email Osamu Yamaoka
SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH LEARNING DIFFERENCES (Tokyo)
This is a unique support program, started in 2005, which provides encouragement and guidance to parents with children who have special learning or behavioral needs. Meetings are held every 2nd and 4th Thursday from 11:00 to 12:30 near Hiroo station in Tokyo. For more information, contact Greta Averbach at gretaver@aol.com.
SPECIAL KIDS JAPAN E-LIST
To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to SKJ-subscribe@topica.com OR go to the list directory.
TOKYO SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
The group, open to all interested, meets monthly near the American School in Japan (ASIJ) in Chofu, Contact Tokyo International Learning Community (TILC) at 0422-31-9611 or email TILC for current contact information.
Others
AMDA INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL INFORMATION CENTER provides telephone and other services to foreign residents in Japan in several languages and introduces medical facilities with staff who speak the patient’s language and explains the health care system.
505 pia NPO 2-8-24 Chikko, Minato-ku, Osaka 552-0021 Phone: 06-4395-0555 (Kansai) Fax: 06-4395-0554 / Phone: 03-5285-8088 (Tokyo)
Online Resources for Special Needs
Resources for Parents of Children With Special Needs
Children With Special Needs | Japan
Special Needs Education in Japan
MEXT : Special Needs Education
Education for Children with Special Needs | Kumon Group
Policy Trends of Special Needs Education in Japan
EDUCATION IN JAPAN COMMUNITY Blog 
Please give us information where we can look a speech therapist for autism spectrum disorder and speech therapy for ASD location of Nagoya
You need to contact one of the resources on this page for a referral. Try the IMPHJ, autism association, etc.
As the challenge of Autism continues to grow , the Solution is also gaining momentum. Here is a useful resource that explains how autistic children can be helped :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N2IEbGe1qA
I’m so glad I found this! I am a single parent with a 20 year old daughter. She was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay at the age of 3. And now, suffering from epilepsy. Is there any organization here in Tokyo/ Japan for Epilepsy
I have an austistic boy,so I very interest help their friend with autistic from poor family but we must very support from many foundation with care about autistic child in indonesia,please help me,thankyou so much
Dear Sir,
I am Mrs. N.K. Wickramanayake from Sri Lanka. I am 61 years old and worked in a deaf and blind School at Mahawewa as the principal. At present I got retired from the government service. My husband also worked as a principal in a school and now got retired. We are very much concerned about our daughter whose age is 24 years and has a sort of downsyndrome. Anyway she has the academic qualification of secondary level. But as we don’t have a successful system of vocational education for these sort of persons, we are very much concerned the future life of my daughter. We have noticed through the Media and the Internet that the special education is well planned, developed and facilitated in your country.
And also I was very fortunate to work with Japanese instructors of special education, Mrs. Hammoto and Mrs Hamazaki who came to my school during the year 1982 and 1983 to instruct me with the help of the JICA of Sri Lanka. Therefore I realized the ways and means taken by the Japanese system to assist handicapped persons are excellent.
Therefore we would be looking forward to have a short stay in your country and behalf of the vocational education of my daughter. The husband and myself get the pension salaries monthly and we have our properties movable and unmovable (vehicles, lands, house). And also we have our fixed deposits in the banks. Hence I truly and honestly declare that our purpose of entering to Japan is merely aimed on the vocational education of my daughter and not earning money. Therefore please be kind enough to consider my request and to make necessary arrangements to obtain VISA and n let me know what steps would be followed up in future.
Waiting for an early favourable reply.
Thanking You.
Yours faithfully,
N.K.Wickramanayake