Disability Standards for Education: Parent/Carer Survey

This survey asks you about the education of your child or children with a disability or medical condition. It covers birth to about 18 years (that is, until your child leaves schooling). It includes day care settings (in centres or paid Family Day Care), early intervention settings, early childhood settings or schools, primary schools and secondary schools (it does not include TAFE).
Please note, that in this survey, you are answering in relation to your child. If, for example, you are also a volunteer/staff in a school or learning setting, you are asked to respond from the perspective of a parent or carer.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DSEparents_carers

Autism Links

Nature Outlook has published an edition dedicated to Autism

http://www.nature.com/nature/outlook/autism_2012/index.html


2 stories on the same boy in NSW:
Not all disabilities are created equal

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/not-all-disabilities-are-created-equal-20121109-29313.html

Students with autism and emotional disorders exiled for disorderly conduct

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/students-with-autism-and-emotional-disorders-exiled-for-disorderly-conduct/story-e6freuy9-1226510166376


TED: A New Way to Diagnose Autism

http://www.ted.com/talks/ami_klin_a_new_way_to_diagnose_autism.html?utm_source=facebook&source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ios-share&ref=nf

Autism Links

A Modest Proposal for Autistic Employment

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-life-aspergers/201210/modest-proposal-autistic-employment


Online Resource Transition Package:
The online resource package has been developed to assist early intervention service providers (e.g. AQ and AEIOU), parents and teachers (Kindergarten and Prep) by providing information and resources to support children with ASD transition into Queensland schools.

http://education.qld.gov.au/asd-online-resource-kit/


Autism researchers unpack the tangled role of genetics

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/174494281.html


Key Points For Understanding Autism

http://mamabegood.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/key-points-for-understanding-autism.html

So you just got an ASD diagnosis, part 2

I'm hoping to  make this a series of tips and information for parents of children with autism - however I'm sure a lot of the information would apply to children with other disabilities! Please feel free to post comments or share your tips, or ideas for further parts to the series. If your child has another disability and you're interested in writing a similar post or series please contact me!

___________________________

Part 2

School
You'll most likely want to let your school know and they will start looking at what your child's needs might be and you'll go through several processes to determine what support they might get. Unfortunately there isn't much consistency across schools as to exactly how these processes take place, but here are the basics:

http://www.det.act.gov.au/school_education/disability_education

You'll do a Student Centred Appraisal of Need (unofficially known as a SCAN) with the school.  These can feel quite negative as you spend the time highlighting your child's needs and deficits, but they're necessary to identify needs so that appropriate support can be put in place.  SCANs are also done at key times - I think years 3, 6, 7, 10, 11

http://www.det.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/20127/Student_Centred_Appraisal_of_Need_-_Appraisal_booklet_for_Parents_Carers_and_Staff.pdf

Each year you'll work on an ILP (Individual Learning Plan) with the school, and a review later in the year. Ideally the ILP should happen early in term 1 and you should receive a draft before the meeting time (if you don't get one you may have to ask for this). You will be able to have input into the ILP and it can be adjusted at any time as your child's needs change. The ILP should contain goals with specific strategies as to how these goals will be reached.  Areas of need identified in the SCAN will inform the areas in the ILP and can include things such as communication, learning, personal care needs, social etc

Sue Larkey
Sue Larkey is an educator turned autism education expert - she is down to earth and realistic about what issues there might be at school and how they can be dealt with.  If you or your child's teacher have the chance to attend any of her workshops i definitely recommend you do so!
http://www.suelarkey.com/
link to her workshops http://suelarkey.com.au/index.php?pr=Workshops
link to her free resources http://suelarkey.com.au/Tip_Sheets.php

Positive Partnerships
positive partnerships has been developed to provide parents and schools with skills to work with children on the spectrum, and have a great relationship with each other. It's free training (this is where the govt's funding for children over 7 has gone to) and very worthwhile.
the training doesn't happen that often though - hopefully once a year in Canberra, but it's possible to do all the units online (honestly the best thing about the workshops is the people you meet - the other parents and educators!)
http://www.autismtraining.com.au/public/index.cfm

AAACT also has several support groups for parents of school age children (these may not be running at the moment, but check with them)
http://www.autismaspergeract.com.au/

Andrew Leigh's Education Survey

have your say to Andrew Leigh about education in the ACT before the election.

http://www.andrewleigh.com/blog/?p=3174

11-year school victory

Special needs students will receive a purpose-built school within 15 months after an 11- year battle to upgrade their facilities.

The Hunter River Community School students have endured mould and roof leaks in dilapidated demountables at their George Street, East Maitland, premises for more than a decade while their parents have lobbied the state government to act.

The state government has finally stepped in with plans to build a new school on part of the land at Metford Public School.

http://www.maitlandmercury.com.au/story/377597/11-year-school-victory/?cs=171

Robo-swot! £3,000 virtual schoolboy is ill pupil’s high-tech stand-in

A BOY too ill to go to school still attends every class — by sending a ROBOT in his place.

Devon Carrow-Sperduti, seven, answers teachers’ questions and chats to classmates using a £3,000 interactive “Roboswot”. His face appears via webcam on the VGo robot, which is linked to his home computer.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4564777/Robo-swot.html

Autism Links

California unprepared for wave of autistic children headed toward adulthood

http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/sep/22/california-unprepared-for-wave-of-autistic/


‘What are you doing?’ A film about autism

http://www.autismawareness.com.au/what_are_you_doing_a_film_about_autism2


Linden eighth-graders form special friendship with two special needs students

http://www.mlive.com/fenton/index.ssf/2009/06/linden_eighthgraders_form_spec.html


Linden High School Seniors Pick Special-Needs Student for Homecoming Court

http://wcrz.com/linden-high-school-seniors-pick-special-needs-student-with-autism-aspergers-for-homecoming-court/

Rugby league great gets behind autism school

The Canberra Liberals have based their plan for an autism-specific school on a Queensland model that charges families fees in excess of $20,000 a year.
But the opposition, whose proposal was endorsed yesterday by former Canberra Raiders rugby league champion Ricky Stuart, said that they will be able to keep fees for their school lower than the $23,000 per year charged in Queensland.
The amount families pay for the Queensland schools, operated by the not-for-profit AEIOU Foundation, is higher than the fees charged at Canberra Grammar School.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rugby-league-great-gets-behind-autism-school-20120926-26lvr.html

Discussion Point - Autism Specific School for Canberra

So the Libs have promised a 40 place Autism specific "school" for Canberra. There has been a lot of discussion all over facebook, twitter, and apparently websites such as the Riotact etc.

I rarely give any personal opinion on this blog, preferring to keep it to events, facts, and reporting only, however this seems to be such a huge issue in the ACT right now I think it's worth having a conversation over.

My thoughts are that :

• 40 places are not nearly enough given the rates of autism / disability (i would go so far as to say they are a token)
• the model requires the parents / centre to be fundraising to keep it going which is frankly crazy (lol)
• it's not a "school", it's an early intervention centre
• why is it autism only? why is it not a general early intervention centre for all children with disabilities, with autism streams within (but only where a specific autism stream is a necessity due to the needs of children with autism)
• it's a promise which is likely to backfire if generating votes was the main focus. while some people are excited by the idea the majority of people i see discussing it have major concerns about it.

Just reading the latest story to be posted on the Canberra Times about it and they predict fees will be less than $23000 pa per child - OMG! there is NO WAY on earth that we would have been able to afford that and no way on earth parents should have to pay that! what about parents on low incomes? what about parents who have autism (or other disabilities) themselves and are unable to work  due to their disability?

So what are your thoughts?

Ricky Stuart supporting Lib's promise of Autism School

ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja has welcomed today’s funding pledge from Ricky Stuart for the autism school that the Canberra Liberals have committed to if elected. The Ricky Stuart Foundation was established last year to help raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

http://www.canberraliberals.org.au/LATEST-NEWS/ZED-SESELJA-MLA/ZED-WELCOMES-RICKY-STUARTS-SUPPORT-FOR-LIBS-AUTISM-SCHOOL.asp

Report finds discrimination against students with a disability rife in Victorian schools

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission reviewed all types of schools in Victoria and found widespread bullying and discrimination.

More than 500 educators reported using restraints to control disabled students. Child advocates have labelled the report's findings are "inexplicable" and "dumbfounding".

http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2012/s3596473.htm

ACT Liberals pledge to build autism-specific school

The Canberra Liberals will officially launch their election campaign today with a promise to build Canberra's first autism-specific school.
The policy will be part of the Liberals' campaign launch at the National Convention Centre.
The 40-place early intervention centre would provide full-time intensive programs for children aged between 2½ and six years who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.


http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/act-liberals-pledge-to-build-autismspecific-school-20120921-26cpj.html

U-Can Read

Does your child need help with reading?
Year 3 to Year 10*
Enrol Now

U-CAN READ:
Intake 1 2013
Parent seminars commence on October 30 2012
Students commence in February 2013

See Website:
www.ucanread.org
for more information.

Applications close 28 September 2012
Phone: 6201 2453 or email ucanread@canberra.edu.au

U-CAN READ is a parent education program conducted by the University of Canberra and the ACT Education and Training Directorate

*Students who are currently in Year Two may apply for Intake 1 2013

Autism Links

Social tips for young people and adults with Aspergers

http://www.autism.org.uk/living-with-autism/communicating-and-interacting/social-skills/social-skills-for-adolescents-and-adults.aspx


School Bullies Prey on Children With Autism

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/03/school-bullies-prey-on-children-with-autism/


It’s an absolute nightmare: maternal experiences of enrolling children diagnosed with autism in primary school in Sydney, Australia

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09687599.2012.717882

Autism Links

And the latest cause of autism is ...

http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/public_health/And-the-latest-cause-of-autism-is-----.html


Bullying of Autistic Students "A Profound Public Health Problem"

http://thautcast.com/drupal5/content/bullying-autistic-students-profound-public-health-problem 


Autistic boy 'left in toilet'

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/autistic-boy-left-in-toilet-20120904-25bbw.html


Insomnia in Children with Aspergers & High-Functioning Autism

http://www.myaspergerschild.com/2012/09/insomnia-in-children-with-aspergers.html

I give a Gonski update

Hi,
Great news on school funding.
The Federal Government has finally agreed to act on the recommendations of the Gonski Review.
It has committed to changing the way schools are funded and increasing the resources for education and public schools.
The decision on Monday came after people around the country like you spoke up and joined the I give a Gonski campaign.
Here is a campaign update if you would like to read more about the Federal Government’s announcement.
We still have a long way to go though.
The Federal Government is now negotiating with state and territory leaders to see how much of the extra funding they will provide and over what time period.
There is no guarantee they will all come onboard.
That is why we must keep the pressure up.
Please help by emailing your state premier or territory chief minister to let them know how important it is that they act on school funding.
It will only take a minute to send the email via our website but it will make a difference.
The financial support of all state and territory leaders is vital if we are to ensure our children’s schools get additional resources.
Thank you,
The I Give a Gonski team
P.S. You can keep up with the latest news on the campaign via our facebook page.

Autism Posts

Autism awareness: Leading others by example
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/example-366108-something-autism.html


I socialise differently - not wrong
http://nolongerinabox.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/i-socialize-differently-not-wrong-2/



ABC’s Four Corners and the messy truth of autism
https://theconversation.edu.au/abcs-four-corners-and-the-messy-truth-of-autism-9050


Autism Spectrum Disorder - Online Resource Transition Package
package from QLD to assist transition from early childhood to school
http://education.qld.gov.au/asd-online-resource-kit/


Autism unlocked
new website to assist children with communication & gain confidence
http://www.minews26.com/content/?p=18502


Top 10 people with Autism known today
http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-autistics-known-today.php

Autism Links

Nothing wrong with humble pi

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/entertainment/books/nothing-wrong-with-humble-pi-20120811-240n2.html


Temple Grandin reveals her advice for educating autistic kids

http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/08/15/temple-grandin-reveals-advice-educating-autistic-kids


Amaze Autism Accreditation

http://www.amaze.org.au/discover/how-we-can-help-you/amaze-accreditation/


My son has Aspergers - a letter to Classmate's parents

http://www.autismspot.com/blog/My-Son-has-Asperger%E2%80%99s-Syndrome-%E2%80%93-Letter-Classmates%E2%80%99-Parents


How girls and boys differ when it comes to Autism

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/04/04/health/mental-health/autism-sex-differences/index.html

What Parents Would Like Special Educators to Know

I rarely agree fully with any of these types of lists, but this one I really like :)


http://specialchildren.about.com/od/specialeducation/p/wanttoknow.htm