Before a child starts school, pediatricians from the municipal health department assess the child’s readiness for school. If this examination reveals any indications of developmental delays or disabilities, the parents are referred to the regional counseling and support center at the Albert Schweitzer School in Mainz-Kostheim. There, any special educational needs are identified to ensure the child receives the best possible educational support, as stipulated in the Hessian School Act:  

"Children and adolescents who require special educational assistance at school to ensure their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development are entitled to special educational support."
(Section 49(1) HSchG).

The Hessian School Act distinguishes between disabilities that allow for instruction with the same learning objectives and those that require an adjustment of the learning objectives. 

The following are considered to have the same learning objectives

• Focus area: Emotional and social development
• Focus on speech therapy. 
• Focus area: Physical and motor development
• Focus on vision
• Focus on hearing

Differentiated instruction is provided in  

• Special education focus: Learning
• Special education focus: intellectual development

For students with a disability that makes learning at the same pace and to the same standards as their peers significantly more difficult or impossible, an individualized curriculum is developed. This applies regardless of the school setting, meaning regardless of whether parents choose a general education school (inclusive education) or a special education school for their child. 

For all areas of special education, regardless of learning objectives, the School Act defines education in a general school as the standard form: 

“Inclusive education for students entitled to special education support takes place as the standard form in general schools (…)”
(Section 51(1))

Support for students with special educational needs in general schools is not only permitted but also encouraged by the legislature, the State of Hesse. In such cases, the general school works closely with the regional counseling and support center as well as with an appropriate special education school. Accordingly, inclusive educational programs are maintained or created as needed at schools in Wiesbaden. 

In elementary school, the principle applies that students should attend the school in their school district whenever possible, thereby ensuring schooling close to home. In secondary school (grades 7–12), parents retain the right to choose the school, even within inclusive education. In addition, schools with specialized facilities are designated. At these schools, structural accessibility is being implemented step by step for one or more specific areas of focus, where needed. Pedagogically, these school locations are particularly dedicated to one (and sometimes several) specific areas of educational support. 

Students in Wiesbaden who cannot get to school on their own due to a permanent physical or mental disability have the option of using a transportation service. This service takes them to school and back home after class—if necessary. If needed, please contact the administration of the receiving school.

In the event that parents do not want inclusive schooling for their child, special schools are available in Hesse, and also in Wiesbaden, for the individual special educational needs.

Special schools teach pupils with a disability or impairment; they specialize in one or more of the special educational needs described above. This applies both with regard to the structural design and equipment, as well as with regard to the special educational resources available there.

There are specialized schools for each special needs area. In principle, pupils with special educational needs can leave school with a Hauptschule, Realschule or a school-specific qualification.