LouB

My 6 year old son has a diagnosis of a receptive language disorder and mild autism.
He improves all the time, does not qualify for a statement of special educational needs in this country and is on 'school action plus'.
Any parents with advice or who have been through the process / medicals?
Alex has not got behavioural problems - he is quiet and does not understand social interaction as much as other 6 year olds but causes no concern in the classroom etc. I would love to hear from parents who are in Australia who have been sucsessful and find out how their children are coping. thanks

Stitch

If he has a medical diagnosis then I'm not entirely sure how you stand with this immigration wise. It is well worth seeking the experience of an immigration specialist. Our daughter was diagnosed in the UK after our PR was granted and validated. She attends mainstream school here with AVT Advisory visiting teacher (not all that often) and Teacher Aide (3 hours per week!) support. There are schools that have specialist units attached ie are coded for autism but our son was at this school and we felt it best that this would be sufficient. My daughter has a wonderful teacher who works with us but I still feel myself that we have to keep pushing, asking questions, arranging meetings etc just to keep on top of them..

My daughter sounds very similar in nature and age to your son. PM me if there's anything specific you want to know.

Cheers

Ginny

auspal

If your daughter does have special needs, then I think it is worthwhile checking out the assistance given in different states of Australia before you decide where to settle.

I worked for a few years in a high school in Victoria as an Integration Aide for students with disabilites and special needs, since moving to Queensland sadly I have noticed that there is nowhere near the same assistance provided in the schools.

Stitch

It seems that while Queensland is a great place it's a bit slower in education and health provision....but we're getting there

Cheers

Ginny

phillip&sharon

Hi

We have a child, now 9. he has Aspergers (a mild form of autism). He was 5 when we went through the process, we had no probs at all. Not one question aboout him at all, even at the medicals.

We are due to go over to Perth for good in sept this year, so i'm also quite interested about the schooling. He is Home schooled at the moment as the schools in england wern't helping!!!! He also was 'action plus' and yes he too didn't warrant a statement. We have found a good school, (tranby college) and have good vibes about it, and so his sister (12) and himself will be starting there beginning oct.

Good luck

Sharon

LouB

Thankyou for the advice.
We are actually looking in Queensland so I will be doing some more research.
On the positive side, there does seem to be more choice available in Oz and without sounding too negative we receive very little help here without pushing constantly for support.
We hope the lifestyle is as good as it sounds and our son will do well out there. Thankyou