Wednesday, 15 November 2023

Inclusive education

Chris CREWTHER (Mornington) (19:13): (447) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Education, and the action I seek is for the minister to fund a government primary and secondary school either in the Mornington electorate or on the Mornington Peninsula for children and adolescents with neurodiversity, including those on the autism spectrum who fall between the gap of mainstream government schools and special development schools. Recently my office was contacted by disability support worker and single mother of four autistic children Rosalyn about the lack of appropriate schools for autistic children on the peninsula. Rosalyn’s son Max must go to prep next year and does not qualify for special schooling, as he does not have an intellectual disability and scored slightly higher than the threshold of 70 in a cognitive assessment. This means that Max will have to attend mainstream schooling, a thought which terrifies Rosalyn, given she foresees that he could struggle to sit in a conventional classroom, follow instructions and/or face bullying. Indeed Max, despite having a level of autism that requires very substantial support, has fallen through the cracks.

Rosalyn’s circumstances are not unique; other parents on the peninsula are facing the same situation, with the closest suitable government school being an hour or more away for many on the peninsula. There are several Mornington Peninsula based models that have been established to address this deficit, highlighting the need for educational supports for students with neurodiversity. Flinders Christian Community College opened its excellent Joshua Centre in 2022 at its Tyabb campus, a special purpose educational facility for students on the autism spectrum – but only from grade 1 and not without cost, which does not suit Max. Rachel McLeod, clinical manager of Abacus Learning Centre in Hastings, told me:

As an early intervention provider for over 60 autistic children … each year we support families who are navigating the process of finding a suitable school for their child that meets their individual needs. While many of our students are able to attend mainstream schooling, there is a cohort of children that do not qualify for special schools but who may require more intensive support than mainstream settings are able to provide. Each year there are families that find themselves without adequate, local school options for their child and who express they feel their child has ‘fallen through the gap’ of the education system. Often these families are limited to private fee schools or travelling significant distances or even moving to find a school for their child.

A suitable school on the Mornington Peninsula would provide many families with a facility that suits their child’s needs and provide an environment enabling such students to thrive, and I am sure the member for Nepean would agree. This includes Rosalyn’s son Max, who requires more intensive support than mainstream settings can provide. While mainstream schooling may be appropriate for some children, it is an inappropriate environment for others who have fallen through the cracks and still have high needs. A suitable school within the Mornington Peninsula would therefore be welcomed by locals.