Schools and Centers for Children with Developmental Differences in Northern Cyprus

In Northern Cyprus, there are state special education schools and private centers for children with developmental differences. This term may refer to different needs: speech, motor, sensory, cognitive, behavioral, socialization-related differences, or the need for regular rehabilitation support. Some institutions operate as educational establishments, while others function as centers providing remedial, psychological, and rehabilitation assistance. The admission age depends on the institution: for example, ÖZEV states programs from birth to 35 years old, while state schools are usually aimed at school-age children.

• What does “developmental differences” mean
• Centers with publicly available information about their programs
• State special education schools
• How to choose an institution
• Frequently asked questions

What does “developmental differences” mean

The wording “children with developmental differences” is used as a clear general description. It may include children who need special educational support, remedial classes, psychological support, speech development, motor skills development, daily living skills development, or help with socialization.

Rehabilitation Centers

ÖZEV Özel Eğitim Okulu ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Nicosia

ÖZEV Özel Eğitim Okulu ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi is a school and rehabilitation center in Nicosia for children and adults with developmental differences. According to the center, its programs are designed for ages from birth to 35 years old. The team includes a pediatrician, child psychiatrist, psychologist, psychological counselor, physiotherapist, and special education teachers.

The center may be useful for families who need comprehensive support: educational assistance, psychological help, development of social and daily living skills, as well as rehabilitation sessions. It also works with children with autism spectrum disorders.
Location
Official ÖZEV website
ÖZEV Instagram

ELA Özel Eğitim ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi, Cihangir

ELA Özel Eğitim ve Rehabilitasyon Merkezi is a private special education and rehabilitation center in the Cihangir area, on the Nicosia - Gazimağusa highway. It provides individual and group sessions, family counseling, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, sensory integration, aquatherapy, sports, and music therapy.

This format is suitable for families who need not only educational support but also regular work with several specialists. Before enrolling, it is worth checking the current programs, schedule, the specialists’ language of communication, age groups, and the possibility of an individual therapy plan.
Official ELA website

Alrisha Özel Eğitim ve Danışmanlık Merkezi, Kyrenia

Alrisha Özel Eğitim ve Danışmanlık Merkezi is a special education and counseling center for children who need additional educational, remedial, or rehabilitation support. Areas of work include autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delay, speech and hearing impairments, learning difficulties, sensory integration, physiotherapy, and special education programs. The center also works with premature children and children who need support for motor and communication development.
Location
Alrisha Instagram

Juno Danışmanlık Eğitim ve Araştırma Merkezi, Kyrenia

Juno Danışmanlık Eğitim ve Araştırma Merkezi (Kyrenia) is a special education, counseling, and child development center for children aged 0 to 12 years old. Its main areas of work include special education, speech therapy and speech development, sensory integration, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychological counseling, and play therapy. The center also offers support programs for children with autism spectrum disorders (DIR Floortime), learning difficulties and dyslexia, ADHD, as well as early intervention programs for younger children. In addition to individual sessions, developmental groups, diagnostic tests, and family support during the child’s learning and development process are available.
Official Juno website
Location

State Special Education Schools

In Northern Cyprus, there are also state special education and vocational training schools. These institutions are part of the state education system and are intended for children with developmental differences who require a special education program.

Gazimağusa Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu

Gazimağusa Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu is a state special education and vocational training school in Famagusta. The institution works with children with developmental differences and focuses on developing academic, social, and practical skills. The admission age, specific programs, and enrollment conditions are best confirmed directly with the school.
Facebook
Location
Phone +90 (392) 366 34 70

Yeşilyurt Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu

Yeşilyurt Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu is a state special education school in the Lefke / Yeşilyurt region. The institution is part of Northern Cyprus’s special education system. Before contacting them, it is recommended to confirm the admission age, program profile, and availability of places.
Location

Ziyamet Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu

Ziyamet Özel Eğitim ve İş Eğitim Okulu is a state special education and vocational training school in the İskele / Karpas region. The school is intended for children with developmental differences. Details about age, specialists, documents, and enrollment conditions should be confirmed directly through the school or the Ministry of Education.
Location

How to choose an institution

When choosing a school or center, it is important to focus not only on location, but also on the child’s real needs. Some children need only a special education program, while others require work with a speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, or comprehensive rehabilitation.

What to clarify before contacting them

• from what age children are accepted;
• which developmental differences the institution works with;
• whether there is an individual support plan;
• which specialists are on the team;
• whether speech therapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or sensory integration is available;
• whether individual and group sessions are held;
• what language is used in communication with the child and parents;
• which documents are needed for enrollment;
• whether there are available places;
• whether transportation for the child is provided.

How to do this

1. Make a list of the child’s needs: learning, speech, motor skills, socialization, behavior, daily living skills.
2. Contact several institutions and clarify the program profile.
3. Ask which specialists work with children and how the individual plan is created.
4. Confirm the documents, admission age, and availability of places.
5. Visit the institution in person and discuss the format of sessions with the administration.
6. Choose the option that matches the child’s needs and the family’s possibilities.

Frequently asked questions

What does “children with developmental differences” mean?

This is a neutral general term for children who may need special educational support, remedial, psychological, or rehabilitation assistance. The differences may be related to speech, motor skills, sensory processing, cognition, behavior, or socialization.

Are there state schools for children with developmental differences in Northern Cyprus?

Yes. State special education and vocational training schools operate in Nicosia, Famagusta, Kyrenia, the Lefke / Yeşilyurt region, and the İskele / Karpas region.

At what age are children accepted?

The age depends on the institution. ÖZEV states programs from birth to 35 years old. For other state schools, it is better to confirm the admission age directly.

How does a state school differ from a private center?

A state school is focused on special education and the development of practical skills. A private center more often offers comprehensive sessions with different specialists: a speech therapist, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, psychologist, or sensory integration specialist.

Do these institutions work with children with ASD?

This information should be stated only where it is directly announced by the institution. At ÖZEV, Juno, ELA, and Alrisha, work with children with autism spectrum disorders is provided. For other schools and centers, it is better to check directly.

Are medical documents needed for admission?

Institutions may request medical reports, educational documents, or specialist recommendations. The exact list of documents should be confirmed with the chosen school or center.

Can a foreign child apply to such institutions?

This should be clarified directly with the institution. It is important to ask in advance about document requirements, the language of communication, the child’s residence status, and the availability of places.