Only US school can help our son

By convenor |

A MELBOURNE family is moving to the US for "emergency education" because it believes the Victorian school system has failed their 11-year-old son.

The autistic boy is from one of at least nine families suing the Education Department through the Federal Court for discrimination and what they claim is inadequate education.

Some families say they have spent up to $100,000 on therapy, tutoring and legal fees in their bids to get their "left behind" disabled children up to speed.

2/6/2011 response from Mental Health Minister

By convenor |

In response to our letter in April 2011, A4 received the (completely unsatisfactory and inappropriate) response below from the Ministerial Liaison and Support Section of the Department of Health and Ageing.

This completely missed the point that A4 asked that a submission be considered for the Budget ... the opportunity is now well past.

Autism rates skyrocket in state schools

By bobb |

Jane Hansen

A BLOWOUT in the number of autistic students at NSW public schools may have been triggered by doctors misdiagnosing children to secure extra funding.

Department of Education figures obtained by The Sunday Telegraph show one in 74 students at state schools is autistic despite the accepted Australian prevalence being one in 160.

The state government spends more than $1.1 billion each year on students with disabilities.

Psychologists call for prompt end to restrictive practices in disability sector

By Anonymous (not verified) |

Urgent action must be taken to ensure Australians with disabilities - including children and young people - are protected from unnecessary restrictive practices that put their lives and wellbeing at risk, along with those of the people working with and caring for them, according to the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

schools restrain students with autism/ASD

By bobb |

The ABC 7.30 Report had a story about schools physically restraining students with ASD (see Hidden shame).

Other schools just kick students out ... which forces their parents out of work. This practice is encouraged by the legal system (see http://a4.org.au/a4/node/338 and http://a4.org.au/a4/node/353).

The 7.30 Report story blames the chronic lack of teacher training, but the problem is exacerbated by the lack of trained psychologists and ASD-specialists in Australia.

The teachers using physical force to manage autistic children.

By Anonymous (not verified) |

Transcript

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Psychologists and disability sector experts are worried about what they say is a hidden problem across the country - the physical abuse of autistic children.

It's allegedly occurring in both special and mainstream schools and the experts say it's due to a lack of teacher training.

Mary Gearin reports, and a warning that this story starts with some disturbing images.

(adults wrestle with and pin down a boy, who moans and cries)

A new book EXTREME PARENTING by Kylie MCClelland

By kylie mcclelland |

Hi everyone,

I am just a mum of three kids, one who has autism and mental health issues, one who has a physical disability and another who has a developmental disorder.

I have just published a book about my experience raising children whose disabilities challenge them greatly in everyday life , and challenge those around them, both individuals and the very systems set up to support them. View it at www2.xlibris.com/books/webimages/wd/ANZ/500452/

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