All mums want the best for their children, and mums of special-needs children are no different. Four mums shared their experiences while searching for the perfect school for their child.
Marg’s son, 18-year-old Jake, has lived a mainstream life, like most kids. Marg expected Jake to attend a mainstream school, but she found out this would be no easy task. Marg recalls her thought process at the time: “He talked, he heard, he ate, he went to school. There was no need to consider anything else.” She blames the educational system for the roadblocks she encountered while enlisting Jake in school. She regrets that mainstream schools are not supported to manage kids with extra needs. Marg’s advice to other mums is to fight for your child.
“You have to be your child’s advocate.”
While choosing a school for her 4-year-old daughter Ella, Kat looks for a connection with people at the school, and reassurance that they will embrace Ella. Like any parent, Kat worries about how Ella will fit into the school’s culture. She shares her method for assessing schools:
“It’s going into a school and getting the feeling that there’s warmth coming from the people there and they’re not afraid of the fact that she has a disability.”
Kat believes parents can find a suitable school for their kids based on the atmosphere and sense of welcome they encounter at a school. In the right atmosphere, when a parent asks about the school’s attentiveness to their special-needs child, they will be met with reactions that indicate excitement, rather than fear.
Mandy found the right school for her 6-year-old daughter Maia through recommendations from other parents. She tells parents, “You can’t go wrong if you’ve got parents of children at that school saying it’s great and inclusive and supportive.” Mandy recalls her initial meeting with a school principal who made her feel like Maia was welcome at that school, and that encouragement made her decision a lot easier.
Sonia found it helpful to build a relationship with her daughter Inez’s school. She worked with the school to create a safe environment for Inez, where they understood she was different and accepted her as such. Sonia’s relationship with Inez’s school makes her feel more comfortable knowing that Inez can thrive there. She describes how this relationship benefits Inez’s wellbeing. “School is like home for her, so she feels safe here. … “She feels she can explore, and be curious, and make mistakes.” Sonia recommends that parents ask the right questions about your child’s school, know what to look for, and work with the school to build a safe space for your child there.
Watch the video below to hear each mum talk about finding the right school for their children.