In 2025, the Center for Attention to Diversity of the Specialized University of the Americas (CADI) supported a total of 6,213 children and young people with special educational needs, coming from various parts of the country. Therefore, they will double their services for the coming year. According to Professor Graciela Montenegro, director of CADI, the center was created to provide comprehensive psychopedagogical and therapeutic care to children and young people with specific educational support needs. The programs serving children from the provinces of Chiriquí, Coclé, Colón, West Panama, and Panama include specialties in special education, family orientation, psychology, and others. Montenegro noted that in addition to the care provided through the unit for supporting students with disabilities, the psychopedagogical support program “Camino a la Calidad” offers services in speech therapy, early stimulation, and accompaniment and monitoring of preschool and elementary school teachers and children. Teachers and specialists from CADI also conduct academic tours to various educational centers, including the República de Venezuela School, Pedro J. Sosa School (both in the capital city), and the Jesús en Los Pobres School in Arraiján. Montenegro pointed out that CADI also represents an opportunity for practice for students from other academic institutions such as the University of Panama and UMECIT.
Panama's CADI Expands Support for Children with Special Needs
CADI supported over 6,000 children with special educational needs in 2025. The center plans to expand its services for the next year, adding speech therapy, early stimulation, and teacher support.
