At a glance
- RAM is the abbreviation for the Guidance and Research Centre (RAM) affiliated with the Ministry of National Education; it conducts the educational evaluation of the child and decides on the need for special education.
- The general flow is as follows: a health report is obtained from an authorized hospital, an appointment is made with the RAM, the RAM conducts an educational evaluation, and if deemed appropriate, a report containing the support education decision is issued.
- Because the document list, durations, and report scope can vary according to legislation, it is best to get the current information from your affiliated RAM and our institution.
- At Deniz Yıldızı, we explain the RAM process to parents both on the phone and in face-to-face meetings.
- For a student with a RAM report, the session plan is made according to the decision in the report; for a student without a report, the number of sessions is determined with the family.
Prepared by: Deniz Yıldızı Special Education content team · Scientific review: Psychologist (MSc) Burcu Cebeci Gürel · Last updated: 15 September 2026
What is a RAM report, why is it needed?
RAM (Guidance and Research Centre) is the official institution affiliated with the Ministry of National Education that conducts the educational evaluation of children. The report prepared by the RAM states whether your child has a special education need and what type of educational support is appropriate.
The document commonly referred to as the "RAM report" by parents is the official basis for receiving support education in special education and rehabilitation centres. The report also provides guidance for arrangements that can be made at school.
An important distinction: A RAM report is not a medical diagnosis; RAM evaluates the educational need. That is why the process generally progresses first on the health side and then on the education side.
How to get a RAM report? General process steps
The following steps explain the general flow of the process. In practice, the document list, appointment method, and waiting times can vary from period to period and from RAM to RAM.
1. Physician evaluation and health report
Your child's developmental status is evaluated by a physician at an authorized hospital and a health board report is issued. The hospital health board report in the process is issued under the name ÇÖZGER (Special Needs Report for Children) for children under 18; the RAM report is prepared after this, with an educational evaluation.
2. Application and appointment to RAM
An application is made to the RAM you are affiliated with along with the health report, and an appointment is requested for educational evaluation. The most reliable way is to learn from RAM how the application will be made and what documents are requested.
3. Educational evaluation
Experts at RAM meet with your child and evaluate their development and learning areas. Information is also obtained from you in this meeting. If available, school, teacher, or institution observations can contribute to the evaluation.
4. Decision and report
If deemed appropriate as a result of the evaluation, a decision regarding your child's educational environment and support education need is included in the report. Confirm the scope and validity period of the report from RAM.
5. Starting support education
You apply to a special education and rehabilitation centre with the report. At Deniz Yıldızı, the session plan of the student with a RAM report is made according to the decision in the report and the Individualized Education Program is prepared jointly by the team.
What is the difference between a health report and a RAM report?
Parents frequently confuse these two documents. They are obtained from different institutions for different purposes.
| Topic | Health report | RAM report |
|---|---|---|
| Where is it obtained? | From an authorized hospital, with a physician evaluation | From the Guidance and Research Centre (RAM) |
| What does it determine? | Health and developmental status, medical diagnosis | Educational need and appropriate educational support |
| Who evaluates? | Physician or health board | Education and guidance experts at RAM |
| What does it do? | Forms the basis for the RAM application and other official procedures | Forms the basis for support education and arrangements at school |
| Who to ask for details? | The hospital issuing the report | Your affiliated RAM and our institution |
What should I pay attention to during the RAM process?
Things that make your job easier
- Keeping both the original and photocopies of all reports and documents in a single file
- Taking notes of appointment dates, the people you meet with, and what you are told
- Asking for a teacher's observation from school or preschool and adding it to your file
- Learning the validity period of the report and writing the renewal time on the calendar
- Directly asking the RAM or our institution any questions that come to your mind
Things to pay attention to
- Not relying solely on document lists and durations read on social media or forums; these may have changed
- Not completely postponing the child's developmental support while waiting for the report; support without a report is also possible
- Not confusing the RAM evaluation with a medical diagnosis
- Initiating renewal procedures on time before the report expires
What should I do until the RAM report is issued?
The completion of the report process can take time. You do not have to wait for the report to be issued to start supporting your child's development during this time.
At Deniz Yıldızı, we also work with students who do not have a RAM report; in this case, we determine the number of sessions together with the family. When the report is issued, the session plan is rearranged according to the decision in the report.
In the comprehensive expert consultation, depending on your child's situation, we can discuss together at what point you are in the RAM process and the next step.
How does Deniz Yıldızı help parents in the RAM process?
For many parents, the RAM process is a step that comes right after the news of a diagnosis and seems complicated. For this reason, we explain the process to our parents both on the phone and in a face-to-face meeting.
In the meeting, depending on your child's situation, we clarify together which stage of the process you are in, and discuss the next step and the questions you need to ask the RAM. The official application and decision process is carried out by the RAM; we also recommend confirming the current document and duration information from the RAM.
After the report is issued, we arrange the session plan according to the decision in the report and prepare the Individualized Education Program jointly as a team.
What questions should I ask before going to RAM?
Calling RAM and asking the following questions before applying prevents unnecessary commuting.
- Which documents are required for application, is the original or photocopy requested?
- How is the appointment made, approximately how long later is it given?
- Should I come to the evaluation with my child, how many people can come?
- Do I need to bring a document or teacher opinion from school or preschool?
- When and how is the report delivered?
- How long is the validity period of the report, how is renewal done?
What do the terms in the RAM process mean?
- RAM
- Guidance and Research Centre (RAM). An institution affiliated with the Ministry of National Education that makes educational evaluations and referrals.
- ÇÖZGER
- Special Needs Report for Children. A health board report issued in authorized hospitals for children under 18.
- Educational evaluation
- Examining the child's development, learning, and educational needs by RAM experts.
- Support education
- Individual or group education provided in special education and rehabilitation centres to children with special education needs.
- Special education and rehabilitation centre
- An institution providing support education to children with special needs, bound by the legislation of the Ministry of National Education.
Frequently asked questions
Can special education be received without a RAM report?
Yes. At Deniz Yıldızı, we also work with students who do not have a RAM report; in this case, we determine the number of sessions together with the family. When the report is issued, the plan is arranged according to the decision in the report.
Are the RAM report and the physician's report the same thing?
No. The physician's report states the health status and diagnosis; the RAM report determines the educational need and appropriate educational support. In the process, the health report is generally obtained first.
What documents are needed for the RAM report?
Since the document list can change according to legislation and the period, we recommend that you learn the exact list from the RAM you are affiliated with. Calling and asking RAM before applying prevents unnecessary commuting.
How long does it take for the report to be issued?
The duration varies depending on the appointment density and the RAM; therefore, we cannot give a precise duration. You can get up-to-date information from the RAM you will apply to.
How many sessions of support education rights are written in the report?
The scope of support education is determined by the RAM according to the child's needs and current legislation. We recommend that you get up-to-date information from RAM and our institution.
How are the sessions of a child with a RAM report planned?
For a student with a RAM report, the session plan is made according to the support education decision in the report. The Individualized Education Program is prepared jointly by our team and reviewed every 3 months.
Does the RAM evaluation make a diagnosis?
No. RAM evaluates the child's educational need and decides on the appropriate educational support.
What happens when the report expires?
Reports have a validity period, and renewal procedures must be initiated before the period expires. It is best to confirm the renewal time and method from the RAM.
Who can explain the RAM process to me?
At Deniz Yıldızı, we explain the RAM process to parents both on the phone and in a face-to-face meeting. You can reach us at 0530 407 00 78.
Should I start education while waiting for the report?
You do not have to wait for the report to be issued. It is important to start developmental support early; we can discuss the most suitable path for your situation in the comprehensive expert consultation.
Should the school be aware of the RAM report?
The report also provides guidance for arrangements that can be made at school. The decision to share with the school belongs to the family; if the family agrees, we contact them to collaborate with the school.
