Hannah's son was put in a box at school. She's one of many parents calling out the practice

By bobb |
boy-size cardboard box

Zacharias Szumer

The widespread use of 'restrictive practices' in Australian schools is leaving children with disability traumatised and their parents exasperated. Some teachers are also appalled by what they've seen.

Hannah's nine-year-old son Max is intelligent, particularly in "maths, science and thinking outside the box," she says.

Yet, because of behavioural issues he was having at his school in regional Western Australia, he was put in a box — literally.

SBS News has changed both their names for privacy.

To get access to life-saving NDIS support, I had to make a lot of noise

By bobb |

Elena Filipczyk

The life-changing call came from a sunshine-voiced woman.

"Just calling to let you know that your application has been approved, so you are now a participant of the NDIS," the woman said in her voicemail.

I didn't hear anything she said after that. Sitting beside me, my friend Sam screamed with excitement as I sat silently in shock.

"Elena, you're finally going to get the help you deserve!" Sam cheered.

After the shock, relief flooded through me as the realisation hit.

Report reveals economic cost of school suspensions — kids with disabilities over-represented

By bobb |
Bianca Sawyer says her son Sonny looking into the camera

the Specialist Reporting Team's Alison Branley and national disability affairs reporter Nas Campanella 

In short

A new report has shed light on the cost of school suspensions to families and the broader economy.

Children living with disability are over-represented in school suspension statistics.

Autism advice to the NDIA - FoI request denied

By convenor |
NDIS logo

If you are interested in knowing what advice the NDIA sought and received about autism from its selected and secret Autism Advisory Group (AAG) we're here to let you know ... the NDIA won't tell you.

The NDIA's Freedom of Information (FoI) process in this instance has been a total farce. The law says FoI requests should be processed in 30 days. But not in this case.

Specialist childcare classes for children with autism cut amid NDIS funding reform

By bobb |
boy and man playing with wooden toy train

Geraden Cann

In short:

A specialised Victorian day care that one parent credits with teaching his autistic sons how to play says it will end dedicated classes for children with autism next year due to changes to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The government agency that implements the NDIS said the scheme would continue to fund early childhood intervention and supports to help children participate in early education.

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