People Make A Difference

This is my last post for 2008 and reflectiing over the year I realise what a difference people can make to your autistic child.

We have been exceptionally lucky this year to have had a fantastic teacher who really clicked with Robin. Thank you, you really got to the nuts and bolts of what makes Robin tick and the results show what can be achieved with an enthusiastic and committed teacher. His confidence and social skills have improved out of sight this year and we are thrilled with his progress. The wonderful Mandy who has been with Robin since prep has continued to be a fantastic support to both ourselves and Robin. The team at Scouts have continued with their encouragement to get Robin out there and happening in all sorts of ways, from being part of a team, to handling snakes, camping, canoeing a whole array of experiences which, together with his teachers at school, help Robin grow his ability to adapt and cope with the outside world.

Sadly though we are ending the school year on a less upbeat note. The previous Principal of the school was a great believer in inclusion and giving resources to children who struggle in the normal system, and although we weren't aware of it had allocated part of the overall school budget to top up aide allowances granted by the Department of Education, giving Robin and another autistic boy in his grade an extra 5 hours a week between them. Our new Principal who arrived at the start of the school year has very different views. We had noticed a change in the feel of the school as the year progressed, the heart of the school seemed to have disappeared. There is no longer an open door policy, and the new Principal is rarely seen around the school or at the gate at pick up.

The night before the last day of school by chance we found out unofficially that the hours we have for our aide were being cut. This was such a blow as the reason that both boys have been coping so well and keeping up academically is due to Mandy's guiding hand. Both of us Mothers, having been up all night trawling through websites and composing a letter to the Principal, were outside her office at 8.30 am on the last half day of school. She did agree to see us but the message was very clear. If you cut out all the sweet talk the prevailing message was 'you have been lucky for the last 5 years. You have been getting more than you are entitled to, we are merely cutting back to what you should have been receiving.' What happened to PSG meetings? What happened to common courtesy? Our aide was informed as she was leaving on the Thursday that she would lose 5 hours a week, despite having a contract until 2011. We were apparently going to be told and when I asked 'when?' I was told that we would have been informed that day, the last day of school, a half day. Where was the time for our right to respond? How hard would it have been to have called us in for a meeting and explained the situation and talked us through it and given us time to make other arrangements?

We were told that the figures had only been finalised that week and she had only informed the teachers the day before and therefore she was going to let us know today, the last day of the school year. I cannot believe that schools work in this way. If they do then the management and financial planning must be sadly lacking. Other people I have spoken to who work as teachers and business managers of schools tell me that these decisions are usually made sometime during October.

I made an official complaint to the Department of Education, who with all credit to them did contact me within 2 hours, and were most sympathetic, however the matter is really out of their hands. As long as a school principal does not actually break the law, how they run their school and their budget is up to them. If a principal has that much power, where is the responsibility? We were told that the money for the extra hours was coming directly out of the staff salaries budget and therefore the money could be used to pay for a specialist teacher like PE or Art. What 5 hours a week? I suspect sadly that the money will be wasted, such as the money that was spent having the new Principal's office completely redecorated including new leather seating and a new desk.

I will continue to pursue what I feel is the best for Robin and others like him at the school, as I am sure you other Mothers and Fathers out there are doing. It seems a shame what was deemed necessary 5 years ago for the safety, social, educational and personal development of the children attending this school, and which was clearly expected to continue until 2011, is now to be cut back with no consultation with the parents. The tactics used were ambush tactics which shows poors management and communications on the part of the new principal.

Despite this setback, I know that the teachers at the school and Robin's friends will continue to advocate for his rights and be there with support and encouragement for their future. People DO make a difference, and those in power have the ability and a responsibility to help those children with disabilities in their care.

Happy Christmas and very best wishes for 2009!