Special Educational Needs?

[Guest kpjoe]

HI Im just wondering if anyonw is aware or / have experianced the special educational needs (SEN) system in Aus / Adelaide? My eldest son whos almost 9 has been diagnsed with Autisitc Spectrum Disorder and although he only has quite a mild form of it he still reqires some extra tuition / provisions etc...It was actually our Educational Physcologist over here in the UK that said Australia are one of the best countries for children with SEN and that they are developing all the time - do you agree ?

 

Thanks

[Misplaced]

Well I am no expert but a friend of mine who I have just got back in touch with has an autistic child and they have moved to Brisbane from Adelaide as she couldn't get the autistic 'teaching' required in Adelaide. She is also thinking about coming to the UK as the autistic help in Oz isn't great.

 

This is only her thoughts and findings mind!

[rachel31]

Autism SA might be able to offer some advice if you were to contact them, let me now if you have trouble finding the number and I'll get it for you - I know plenty of people here who have children with differing educational needs and each person has their own thoughts about the education system.

 

Rach

[Guest kpjoe]

Thanks Guys, I suppose it is all a matter of experiance and over here in the UK we do have decent provision for SEN children its just everything takes so long - took us 3 years to get my son a SEN Teacher !! Will have to have a look in to it more x

[Sallyh]

Hope you find the best place to be. Do check though with the medical requirements, because I seem to remember something about it affecting someone's application for a visa some time. Which I don't believe it should, but please check that out. xxxxx

[Guest simpsona]

Hi Katie,

When are you planning to emigrate? I have a 14yr old with Aspergers & ADHD (very high functioning but struggles socially and can be a bit full on lol) I am worried about education too and have also heard can effect visa app! We are hoping to go next year so he would be 15 when we actually go, he currently has 20 hours support in mainstream but to be honest spends most of his time in the resource unit as he finds the mainstream kids to disruptive!

 

Sharon. x

[Guest Guest6899]

my son Ethan has high functioning autism, although he is registered we do not have any help from autism SA. He goes to a private school (cardijn college) and to be honest so far he has been to social classes, and has extra tuition in maths & English, they are really looking out for him and tailoring his needs and offering support where he needs it. i felt he didn't get much support in primary school.

 

Lisa

Edited March 15, 2013 by Guest6899
spelling

[tina&steve]

i have a 10 year old aspergers boy he gets an SSO (teaching aid) sadly just an hour per week but the school will assess his needs and give him help. Autism SA can help through the school too but time is limited. he could also get 10 hours of speech you can use this for social stories ect, and 10 hours of OT. You may be able to get a carers allowence which i think is about $110 per fortnight. but sadly not much else. get him into a good school who will meet his needs. if you want any more info feel free to pm me

[Guest simpsona]

Thanks, that's great I will do nearer the time if all goes ahead! x It is a worry, to be honest I think he will cope better over in SA than in the UK because the kids in his mainstream here really are awful and tease him at every opportunity!

 

When in his unit where the kids are more understanding he very rarely unsettled and just gets on with his work. We were at a wedding recently and off he went bless, hooked up with a kid around 16 and spent around 3 hours just chilling and talking with this kids who was obviously a bit more mature and it was lovely to see him chilling out like any other kid which I don't see very often.

 

One of our main reasons for emigrating is to give the kids a better surrounding as things aren't good for that age group here, even my 12yr old daughter is horrified by what her peers here are talking about, way to far ahead! Luckily she is so sensible and mature she knows they are wrong. All 3 kids can't wait to emigrate so really pleased about that!

 

So his DX won't stop us getting our visa then? I mean he doesn't have any learning disabilities, it is purely social! x

 

Thanks, Sharon.

[MacLeods]

As i understand it fab assistance up to the age of 7 then you're on your

own - try contacting Autism SA - google it -perhaps a good GP would assist with this referal also.

This is not first hand experience but a few friends in the system and other business related dealings with A SA.

[Guest Guest6899]

Thanks, that's great I will do nearer the time if all goes ahead! x It is a worry, to be honest I think he will cope better over in SA than in the UK because the kids in his mainstream here really are awful and tease him at every opportunity!

 

When in his unit where the kids are more understanding he very rarely unsettled and just gets on with his work. We were at a wedding recently and off he went bless, hooked up with a kid around 16 and spent around 3 hours just chilling and talking with this kids who was obviously a bit more mature and it was lovely to see him chilling out like any other kid which I don't see very often.

 

One of our main reasons for emigrating is to give the kids a better surrounding as things aren't good for that age group here, even my 12yr old daughter is horrified by what her peers here are talking about, way to far ahead! Luckily she is so sensible and mature she knows they are wrong. All 3 kids can't wait to emigrate so really pleased about that!

 

So his DX won't stop us getting our visa then? I mean he doesn't have any learning disabilities, it is purely social! x

 

Thanks, Sharon.

 

Unfortunately Sharon, kids will be kids no matter what side of the world you are on.. and teasing is just a problem here, the same with teenagers growing up too fast. i was shocked by the amount of swearing kids do, myself don't use such language and i seem to be telling my boys off all the time now. There are problems here just like the UK antisocially. my eldest wouldn't leave the house in the uk and is a completely different person here, although he has already been punched at noarlunga interchange in a completely unprovoked attack. i was worried this would really damage him socially but he is ok, luckily.

 

In primary all the children had to stand up and say a word that describes them self.. my son said "lonely" his teacher was mortified and apparently shouted at all the children for not making ethan welcome in anything or speaking to him in recess.. but things didn't change, he now has a few close friends who he socialises with and accept this "odd ways"

 

Australia is a fantastic place and the quality of living for us is superb, but there are just as much "problem people & kids" that live here as in the uk...

 

good luck with your plans.

Edited March 15, 2013 by Guest6899

[Guest Claire-n-tel]

"lonely" thats very sad Baggienurse, i'm glad he has a few friends now

[Guest simpsona]

Unfortunately Sharon, kids will be kids no matter what side of the world you are on.. and teasing is just a problem here, the same with teenagers growing up too fast. i was shocked by the amount of swearing kids do, myself don't use such language and i seem to be telling my boys off all the time now. There are problems here just like the UK antisocially. my eldest wouldn't leave the house in the uk and is a completely different person here, although he has already been punched at noarlunga interchange in a completely unprovoked attack. i was worried this would really damage him socially but he is ok, luckily.

 

In primary all the children had to stand up and say a word that describes them self.. my son said "lonely" his teacher was mortified and apparently shouted at all the children for not making ethan welcome in anything or speaking to him in recess.. but things didn't change, he now has a few close friends who he socialises with and accept this "odd ways"

 

Australia is a fantastic place and the quality of living for us is superb, but there are just as much "problem people & kids" that live here as in the uk...

 

good luck with your plans.

 

 

Aw Baggienurse,

Sounds like we are gonna be worrying about him there too! That's awful your son got punched!! So glad it didn't knock his confidence! My Keenan would wanted revenge for evermore, he bares a grudge for anyone who hurts him & never forgets, he is really quite nervous to start with when out doors even with us! He is only really himself when at home. Friends of ours have just settled in Brighton area and they have nothing but positive things to say about schools etc but then again they don't have a child with AS so I guess they wouldn't see the hurdles we parents come across! His children have settled really well and haven't seen any bullying whatsoever but I guess unless your the one being teased you will be blissfully unaware. xx In the UK we live in a low employment area and it really is all pitbulls and chavs! My kids can't play out without incident so just don't, I travel over 3 miles for a better school for my youngest each day as none of the local schools are suitable, hubby and I can't go for a local pint without witnessing a pub fight, everyone just seems in such a hurry and so angry all the time. Hubby hates being in the UK with a passion, has done for years and I've just come to agree with him as time has gone by. I know my son Keenan will never have a huge circle of friends but a few close ones is all he needs I guess.

 

Sharon. x