Lithuania: Getting special education support
A practical route for raising concerns, documenting barriers and asking the school what support is available.
Use this guide to prepare questions and evidence, then confirm current requirements with the school and the responsible national, regional or local education authority.
Start with the barrier
Describe what the child finds difficult in learning, communication, participation, behaviour, attendance or access—not only a diagnosis.
Ask what is already happening
Request a written summary of current classroom strategies, adjustments, specialist input and how progress is being measured.
Agree a review point
Ask who coordinates support, what outcomes are expected and the date when the school will review whether support is working.
Escalate when needed
If ordinary school support is insufficient, ask which formal assessment, specialist or authority route applies locally.
Check the current framework
The European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education provides country information, national contacts and links to current policy sources. Rules and terminology can change and may differ within a country.
Free and affordable learning support in Lithuania
Start with the child's school and ask what educational assistance is available through the school's support team. Families can ask about the school's Child Welfare Commission (Vaiko gerovės komisija) and, when assessment is appropriate, the local pedagogical psychological service (pedagoginė psichologinė tarnyba, PPT). These public education routes may be more appropriate than paying privately for an initial consultation.
How do I request support?
Explain the child's learning or participation barriers in writing, ask for a meeting, request a record of agreed classroom adjustments, and ask when progress will be reviewed. If the school recommends external assessment, confirm the referral procedure and any costs before booking.
Are private assessments or therapies funded?
Not automatically. Funding and eligibility vary by service and municipality. Confirm current rules with the school, municipality or relevant health provider. For official information, begin with Lithuania's Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and National Agency for Education.