Special needs education sees growth in underserved areas

Learning Ladder Children's House Inc., a Cebu-based education provider specializing in programs for children with special needs, is ramping up its expansion into suburban areas across the Visayas and Metro Manila amid growing demand for specialized early education services.

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Founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Ronald and Ruth Catingan, Learning Ladder has grown from a single preparatory school in Cebu into a niche education network with campuses in Dumaguete and Surigao City in Mindanao.

The school is known for its tailored programs for children with autism, ADHD, and developmental delays—an underserved market in many parts of the country.

"Our focus has always been to bring quality special education where it's most needed," said co-founder Ronald, who left a regional sales post at 3M in 2022 to fully commit to the business. "We're now seeing heightened awareness and acceptance, especially in second-tier cities, and that's where Learning Ladder wants to be."

The business began as a calling, driven by Ruth's expertise in occupational therapy and neurodevelopmental care. "Instead of taking our American dream abroad, we decided to build something meaningful at home," Ruth said.

Learning Ladder now serves over 130 students in its Cebu campus alone, with approximately 75 percent classified as special education (SPED) learners.