We are in such a pickle with the current school we are in. Our eldest son is in grade prep our second son is starting next year. The problem is our second son has ADHD and has learning difficulties and is receiving early intervention. He is going to need a fair bit of support at school next year for example he would constantly need to be re directed back to task, he gets distracted easily and looses concentration, he can be quite defiant as well. He has some trouble with interactions with others he gets upset easily too. He is doing brilliantly at kinder but has a great teacher and funded support. The problem is the school are saying theycant guarantee the support, we will be putting an application based on severe behavior, and is most likely going to get some sort of funding. Its a our local Catholic school with less than 200 students. We are already part of the community our eldest son is settled and has friends, its a 2 minute walk from our house we have friends there too. I feel as though the school would rather not have to deal with our son. Im super angry and feel we have been given no choice but to move, we don't blike any of the other schools in our area we want the school to accommodate us as the whole picture!! What would you do, continue to flight even though the school doesn't seem supportive? What other Avenues could I take this?
2 Replies
I'd go to a different school if you are genuinely getting the sense they don't want your son. Never push your child into an environment that doesn't want him it can't handle him, it will work out terribly in the long run. Even if you put in complaints etc that doesn't change the environment.
I think it's smart to be talking to a number of schools anyway to make sure the other schools aren't just as limited in what they can do. No school can guarantee the support your son will need. I get it, it's frustrating (my son is on the spectrum). Look at all the options, including what your son qualifies for regarding specialist classes, units etc. then make a choice based on all the options. I'm all for mainstreaming, it's great when it works and the school is supportive but it can also be a nightmare.
You're right I shouldn't push it....its just not fair, I feel if they wanted to they could accommodate us. I feel very sad for my son who is in prep there already, he struggles socially and has made friends and to pull him out and start again is going to be difficult.