Our autistic ADHD PDA gifted child has spent so many years trying to mask her
natural behaviours and personality to conform to rigid, outdated and
psychologically unsafe surroundings at school, she is now moving to a young
tween unable to manage emotions and thinking she doesn’t belong in this world.
I specialise in mental health and am shocked at the lack of basic understanding
in teachers and school curriculum and policy regarding basic rights Re
equitable access to education, duty of care to all children, and the lack of
core capabilities required in school staff. We have had teachers scoff at our
child for self regulating eating cucumber, argue about school policy even when
child has permission from school leadership to do certain things, I have been
told my leaders in diversity how our school’s well being team in pandering to
the children and parents have more money than sense and are paying for private
aides.
My child is extraordinarily capable in core subjects and performing averagely
because she is a fish being tested on how fast she can climb a tree. My child
will be an extraordinary adult because she can see big solutions, problem
solve, can do mental maths faster than people twice her age and is a kind
interested soul. My child can only do these things if she makes it to adult
hood and is not overcome with the trauma of traditional schooling.
Our schools need to adopt policies existing in other well respected professions
- health care (my own profession) - evidence based practice, no nonsense standards and consequences for not complying with standards, firm
understandings of duty of care, adequate knowledge of how to provide the best
service to all clients (students) especially those higher risk clients.
I am absolutely shocked we accept the current situation and allow our children
to be exposed to this setting given suicide is the leading cause of death for
Australians 15-44. In my job I manage cases with suicide attempts well under
15 years and until we manage the place most of these kids spend Monday to
Friday 9-5pm we will not address a large issue with our young people.
Train staff, educate staff, ensure this cohort of well trained, educated and
committed staff is paid well, support staff, do not accept low standards,
reduce class sizes and have consequences for poor outcomes.