IvanM

I have been offered a position in either Brisbane or Melbourne. Anyone know what services for ASD kids are available in either city and what schooling options are available?

IvanM

My wife's research is indicating a lack of services in either state. Looks like I will be hitting the job market.

Geelong Gent

What exactly are you after?

Employment in these services or for your own use?

There are plenty of schools in Melbourne depending on end of spectrum.

The more high functioning the more they are encouraged too remain in main stream.

Stitch

I've attached a couple of links for you just now. Varies depending upon the degree/severity/educational needs. In mainstream you're looking at full integration with some AVT (Advisory Visiting Teacher) and teacher aid for a short amount of time each week, Schools which are mainstream however have units dealing with ASD kids otherwise special schools are some of the alternatives here in qld.


http://www.learningplace.com.au/defa...7&suborgid=230
http://www.autismqld.com.au/

Might get you started.

Ginny

quoll

Victoria has some of the toughest eligibility criteria http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibr...book_FINAL.pdf - scroll down to the end for eligibility.

Queensland did at one stage have just the diagnosis as being evidence enough but they were looking at defining their eligibility criteria as well so dont know how that may have changed.

Both states have a strong inclusion policy and so if you can get a visa and if the child is eligible then they will receive some support in the classroom but the extent of that support may not be as much as you would like.

IvanM

Right now we looking at using a school called Vern Barnet in Sydney. They have a 4 -1 ratio and a team of psyches, OTs and Speech Therapists on hand. They work towards mainstreaming gently with satellite classes. The school is heavily subsidised and costs are minimal.

Sensory integration is on the curriculum as well as life skills.

My elder son is highly intelligent yet emotionally he is living an anxious nightmare.

From what I have been able to tell Victoria works with the mainstream schooling (public sector) only with aides. How much aide time? What other in schools therapy is available or is it all self arranged?

Geelong Gent

http://www.currajong.vic.edu.au/Home.htm

You might be interested in this school - its purpose is take kids out of main stream and over a period of up to 3 years prepare them for reintegration.

It very much is a school by school assessment in main stream and very much depends on the knowledge and attitude of the principal or head of school.

We recently moved schools and have a team of professionals working in and out of the school. Meeting also on a regular basis to assess and implement strategies with the school.

Bubbles

Hi

In qld there is a form which has to be signed by the paed and then school writes an IEP and completes EAP form which determines level of funding. Most students are in mainstream, however some school have a special education unit (SEU) so kids can be better supported. These SEU's are not specialist for one particualar disability anymore but visit schools and find out if they have an SEU and what their main category of student is. Autism queensland provide an outreach srvice to schools and there is federal funding for services to under 6's. I beleive there is some further funding for older kids.

If you wanted to start the process before you come out here - down load the autism for and get your paed in england to sign it for you. I assume they will accept it at least in the short term until you can get an aus paed to monitor things. The diagnosis criteria they use is from DSM- IV which is used world wide

http://education.qld.gov.au/students...ation/asd.html
form at the bottom of the page. It is due for an update so don't download it till you are ready

Autsim queenslad offer split palcements between themselves and mainstream

hope this helps

Tracy

Stitch

In QLD Daughter gets 20 hours per term teacher aide time and sees and AVT for 1 hrs per week. Has had an OT referal with recommendations and due for SLT review. Can get up to 20 treatments via Medicare re OT/Psych/SLT and alike via a mental health care plan which has to be implemented by a paed but can be administered by GP also if you have a GP management plan it allows them to monitor etc rather than having to wait for paed or pay (private).

Had diagnosis etc in UK so only needed verification here and EAP/IEP (IEP took a long struggle to get an acceptable, achievable one).

IvanM

I searched out your post on the school and rang them. It is an interesting place. 7000 a year and 4 aides in a 14 person class. The principal think our one would need a year in a spec ed place to prepare.

BTW I have been over here 7 years and already have a diagnosis and can now access FAHCSIA funding of 6000 a year for early intervention. Doesn't go far though.

Not sure what happens to that funding when he goes to school.

We also have access to the 20 hours of OT or psyche.

IvanM

Not much aide time is it. Unfortunately my son will need an aide the whole time he is at school for the first few years.

How did you go in the UK with schooling before and how did he handle the big move here?

JR230898

http://www.autismvictoria.org.au/home/

Hope this might be of some assistance.

Stitch

My daughter was at a split nursery in the UK before we came. It's been different and has been a hard slog, especially in mainstream. She's a visual thinker and has high anxieties yet is not disruptive in class and therefore they think that "there ïs nothing wrong"!!

IvanM

I think my boy would be highly disruptive as he won't even sit still for OT yet alone follow instructions.

I find a lot of people who think they know what they are doing actually have no idea about the sensory mess autistic kids are in. I share your frustration but the best way to frame it is that you are doing an excellent job.

quoll

Without a doubt the Autism Association schools in NSW are going to give you the best options within Australia.