The Tree House International, Sri Lanka’s only international school for children with special needs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Villa College, the largest tertiary institute in the Maldives.
The agreement outlines cooperation in autism and ADHD research, behaviour therapy training, and inclusive education. It includes plans for student placements, joint academic programmes, shared research initiatives, seminars, and workshops.
Founded in 2020, The Tree House International reports that nearly 80 per cent of its students now relocate to Sri Lanka to attend the school, reversing a trend of families seeking specialised education abroad. The school offers Functional Skills qualifications, equivalent to the GCSE, with a focus on practical life skills. It is also the only institution in Sri Lanka that employs certified and regulated behaviour therapists, and all of its teachers are certified in behaviour therapy.
The founder and director, Dr. Anton James, was recently elected as a Chartered Scientist by the British Science Council, becoming the first educational scientist of Sri Lankan origin to receive this recognition. He is also the only Chartered Behavioural Psychologist in Sri Lanka. The Assistant Director, Chrystal Honsaker, an American, has brought 20 years of global experience in autism treatment to Sri Lanka, strengthening the school’s expertise and international perspective.
At the MoU signing, Villa College was represented by Vice Rector Dr. Ali Najeeb, Deputy Vice Rector Mr. Abdul Munnim Mohamed Manik, and Dr. Aishath Nasheeda, Head of the School of Psychology and Counselling.
“This collaboration represents a major step forward in enhancing educational pathways in autism research, evidence-based treatment, and inclusive education,” Dr. James said. “Together we will pioneer initiatives such as training professionals in behaviour therapy, hosting joint autism awareness campaigns, and ensuring effective treatments reach communities that have been overlooked for decades.”
