South Australian government invest in autism inclusion teachers

ABC NEWS (Australia)

South Australia’s government has poured millions into hiring autism inclusion teachers and providing extra support for school children with special needs. But one mother says her six-year-old and thousands of other autistic children are still not getting the help they need.

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00:00Oakland Carter loves to play and learn.

00:08The six year old has autism, ADHD and epilepsy.

00:12He started school last year but began to struggle as the class size grew.

00:16So he doesn't qualify for special ed but he doesn't fit in mainstream but there's nothing

00:21for our kids in between.

00:23He now only goes to school three times a week for 90 minutes.

00:26He says things such as, you know, I hate my brain, my brain's stupid, like things like

00:32that and it's really awful.

00:34Paige Carter and Oakland were front and centre when Emily Burke became SA's first Assistant

00:39Minister for Autism almost three years ago.

00:43She now feels her family and the autism community have been let down.

00:47He can announce skyscrapers and live golf which yes are amazing but what about our little

00:53kids who can't even access an education.

00:56The government says it's delivered important changes including a dedicated office for autism

01:01and a five year autism strategy.

01:04Nearly 30 million dollars has also been invested in more than 400 part time positions for autism

01:10inclusion teachers.

01:12That change isn't going to happen overnight, it is going to take time because we are undoing

01:17learnings that have been in place for decades.

01:20But the state's peak autism body says it's understandable that parents like Paige Carter

01:25expect change to come sooner.

01:27She represents perhaps a good portion of the autistic and autism community, particularly

01:32the parents of autistic students who feel change hasn't happened quick enough.

01:37So I can see certainly why she feels let down.

01:39Our kids should not be left behind just because it's going to cost more money.

01:43Our kids deserve an education just like any other child.

01:46That's the real life one.

01:47The state government says the education department has been working with the family to find the

01:52right solution for Oakland.

01:55hijack of...

01:57he vomits acid doesn't he?

01:59yeah

02:01yeah

02:03yeah

02:08yeah

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