Bendigo Special Developmental School provides specialised education for students with an intellectual disability diagnosis and a Full Scale IQ of 50 and below. We are delighted to accept enrolments from families seeking a supportive and inclusive learning environment for their children.

ENROLMENT CRITERIA

The following enrolment criteria have been specified and approved by the Regional Director, North West Victoria Region (as the Minister’s delegate) under section 2.2.16(b) of the Education and Training Reform Act 2006 (Vic). A student’s enrolment will be reviewed periodically in line with their needs.

Students seeking to enrol must have:  

Intellectual Disability

A diagnosis of Intellectual Disability from a registered psychologist evidenced by:

1. Sub-average general intellectual functioning which is demonstrated by a full-scale score of two standard deviations or more below the mean score on a standardised individual test of general intelligence, (for example a full scale score of 50 or below on one of the recommended standardised individual tests of intelligence);

and

1. Significant deficits in adaptive behaviour established by a composite score of two   standard deviations or more below the mean on an approved standardised test of adaptive behaviour,(for example a Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales composite score of 50 or below);

and

1. A history and evidence of an ongoing problem with an expectation of continuation during the school years. Please see our ‘documents tab – policies’  for more information regarding enrolment eligibility requirements.

If you are considering enrolment for your child in our Prep program, we recommend speaking with your child's kindergarten teacher to seek their opinion on whether your child may have an actual intellectual disability, rather than another diagnosis such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Additionally, evidence of engagement with early intervention and allied health services will be required.