Guest zoensim Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 hi all, i wondered if anyone had any thoughts or ideas on what i should do? my youngest son aged 8, had problems at school in the uk with certain kinds of behaviour. it was suggested there that he had aspergers syndrome although this was not confirmed and the whole system in the uk left a lot to be desired. i had a feeling that teh school he went to there made the problem worse and were not doing enough to help him etc. anyway, we have enroled him in school here, in the mornington area, and he has deisplayed the exact same behaviour on day 2 had a total meltdown the school had to ring me to take him out and since then he has not been back. i know that a government school cannot refuse to take a child on but they can make it an uncomfortable situation. the assitant principal has been great but i am not getting a good 'vibe' from the actual principal. the good thing that has come out of this is that he has already been seen by a psychologist who suggeswted that indeed he would say that he had some form of autistic spectrum disorder. we have been to see the school again today about this and while they have not exactly said that they will not have him back they have 'suggested' that this may not be the right school for him and his needs and i am beginnning to feel that really they do not want to have him enrolled there. this makes me think i should go elsewhere. i think perhaps he would be better off in a smaller school and they suggested we look at penbank school (private), because it is a lot smaller and has a lot of dealings with children with asd or mooroduc school or a specialist austism school in bentleigh. i wondered if anyone had any experience with any of these schools. i know that should i wish i can just leave him were he is but as i mentioned i wanted him to be somewher that he was 'wanted' and were i felt he was wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 I think you may have a way to go before you start thinking of schools - and they were remiss to have suggested that to you. The disability criteria for Victoria are very strict - check them out here http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/stuman/wellbeing/2009_PSD_Handbook_FINAL.pdf and just someone saying that they think he might have one of the pervasive developmental disorders just doesnt cut it, there will have to be a load of assessments done to determine that and also the extent to which the disability is impacting upon his ability to participate. It is quite likely that once those assessments are completed though that you will be able to negotiate support for him. This Autism Victoria - Services - School Years is a useful site which lists the possible options but first of all you will need a formal diagnosis. May I suggest that you seek out a disability advocacy service to help support you when you do negotiate with the school because, as you say, under the DDA your son cannot be discriminated against if he does have a diagnosed disability. Good luck, it must be very hard for you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Ozcans Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 Hi zoensim I would totally go on your gut feeling as a mother. Check out the other schools and talk to as many people as you can. It's much better to get your son in a comfortable situation (and for you too), than to sit it out and fight an ultimately loosing battle with a school which will eventually do as they are told on paper, but not willingly be helpful or understanding in the classroom. My best friend's middle son has aspergers and has been diagnosed. From that point the school received £12,500 a year for him. He has received no help whatsover and my friend is told that he's fine and there's nothing wrong with him!!! Seems like they might be getting new carpets for their staff rooms!! If the school are sending him home now, then they have shown that they are not willing or able to help him, if they become forced to do so, it won't get any better for him. He has special needs, and you need someone who understands that, and he needs to be around people on a daily basis who understand that too. It's not your job to help re-train them!! I would look for alternatives and find out if there is a help group of other parents online or in the area - you'll get loads of help and ideas and shortcuts from them. Lots of luck Sue x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zoensim Posted February 28, 2009 Share Posted February 28, 2009 i know there is still a long way to go with this. i'm jsut not getting a good feeling about him being there. i have even thought about homeschooling and whether that would be best all round. i know we have not even got a firm diagnosis yet. i think as you said though i should go with my gut feeling. and thanks quoll for the info have had a look at the website and have found them really helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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