Devonfamily

Hi there,

I have phoned various different Immigration Agents, spoken to a Panel Doctor (was advised to get advice), phoned DIAC - with regards to getting my son into a school for kids with Autism in Adelaide near Golden Grove, Greenwith etc..

All these have proved of no use and considering DIAC is £1/min and spent £15 - I got absolutely no further - as they have no idea - was a waste of time!.

We have enough points - and are really hoping to Immigrate to Adelaide in the next 2yrs max. Our 9yr old son has Aspergers (aka high functioning Autism). He is a very bright lad, has all his faculties about him, doing well at school which caters for kids with Autism & Social Communication Disorders. He is mostly effected by his speech disorder i.e. pronounciation of some words and also does not deal well with crowds, lots of noise etc. We have been told he will lead a normal adult life, be able to hold down a job - thus will not be a burden to the Australian Government. From what I have read - they are (just like the UK) all for intergrating these kids into Mainstream schools. It does not work. There are on average 30kids in a Mainstream class to 1 Class teacher & teaching assistant. He would be left to his own devices, picked on and most VIP he would not cope with so many kids and the noise level in the classroom.

We have everything on our side and my fiance's degree, skills, work/management experience in Procurement are in demand as confirmed by Immigration Agents. But my major problem is that I need to know for sure that there are schools in Adelaide that my son will be able to get a place in - that specialise in kids with Autism & Social communication difficulties.

Who can I phone, who can give me the correct information I need about my sons Education in Adelaide??? I seriously do not see the point in spending £1000's in the Immigration process when I have not been able to find out the true facts about what Education facilities will be available to my son. His Education is a TOP PRIORITY and detrimental to his future.

Which direction do I go in??? Feeling like I'm up against a Brick wall here

Tx
Maz, Dave & Jonathan

AHamm

Sorry to hear you're having problems.

Have you tried contacting the Department of Education and Children's Services in South Australia? Their website is http://www.decs.sa.gov.au/ and they're probably the best people to give information on education facilities for your son.

All the best

Devonfamily

Thanks for the reply - have looked at that. Guess I'll have to stay up until some mad hour during the week and try and phone them. DIAC said not to email as he reckons it will get lost in the system. But at least by emailing - I'll have their response in writing.

Is there anyone in the Adelaide area who knows more about Special Needs Education or schools in the area - NOT MAINSTREAM pls.

AHamm

Oh dear. Sorry, I don't have any other ideas, I'm afraid. Hope you manage to find something.

Devonfamily

Hi again,

Nope - don't worry - your help is much appreciated. It's just I'v had to fight long and hard to get where we are Education wise in the UK. I like to plan ahead and make sure I'v got all the true Stats and info available before moving etc. My son is doing very well at his school and is top of his class. So I need to know 100% what is definitly out there in Adelaide for my son with regards to providing the right educational setting/school for him - because I know that Mainstream is not the answer. We are willing to pay if we have to.

You would think with all the Immigration Agents in the UK, Australian Immigration Exhibitions, DIAC etc - that someone out there would know more about the Education side of things - as most of us Immigrate as a family with children - and our childrens Education is just as important as our Careers - as this is detrimental to their future.

Would be alot easier if he was in Mainstream - but hey some of us are just blessed with these special kids

AHamm

You need to find an education agent who deals with Primary education. Migration agents sometimes have links with education agents, so maybe one of the agents on here, such as George Lombard or Alan Collet, could help.

Perhaps worth looking them up and asking them.

Wendy

Hi

Try this link for some more contacts here in SA: http://www.cyh.sa.gov.au/HealthTopic...=306&id=2443#2

When you e-mail it might be an idea to tell a little white lie and say that you are planning on moving here shortly, some people out here are really bad at getting back to you if you say you are just looking into something

Bigaitch

Dear Maz, Dave & Jonathan,
I haven't really got any info which is awfully helpful. However I can confirm that a good agent might be able to give you guidance. I'm sure there are lots who are good, but our experience with Alan Collett has been very positive. Also with regards telephoning Australia, you might consider subscribing to SkypeOut. We used it with a great deal of success at our previous home because we had a very good broadband link. (Not so at our current house unfortunately). The costs are greatly reduced and the quality was excellent.

Good luck

Harry.

ann h

Hi Maz, we have a special boy who is 6, he has speech and language disorder,and a few of autistic traits, he attends what they call here in Adelaide, a special small class which is based in a mainstream school, there are only 6-8 children in the class. He is in the junior primary class which is reception to year 3. They also have primary class year 4 to year 7. He has been there for a year now and has done so well. Look at the decs website. See if theres a phone no for the disability coordinator in the north area. We live in the south, they have a few schools in each area. Hope this helps
Regards Ann xx

trudy_leaver

Hello,

I came across your posting, while researching this very topic! As I'm currently a University student here in Adelaide, studying the 'Education, Arts and Social Sciences' strand of a Foundation course and hope to follow through with a Bachelor of Education next year.
As my own child has had similar behavioral/social issues that have affected his education, (he has exhibited some autistic tendencies and hyperactive type behavior, since the age of 2 - 3 years. He is now 8 years old) this has spurred me on towards educating myself further; That I may ultimately become of assistance to other children and their families facing similar issues.
True, I am aware of the specific school that you refer to in the area of Golden Grove/Greenwith. As to more specific information regarding the services that the school offers, you would be best to contact them direct.
'AutismSA' is a not for profit association here in Adelaide, South Australia that may be able to steer you in the right direction. As per finding out some more information specifically pertaining to services that may be of some assistance to your boy. They also offer a whole range of other services including adult education for Teachers/Educators/Parents and for the general public, and support groups and counselling. Their phone number is (Country Code) 08 83796976. Alternatively, their web address is www.autismsa.org.au
Speaking of which, email may be the most cost effective method of communicating with them and the most efficient method at present. Since they are currently in the process of relocating to another Adelaide site.
I hope this has been of some help to you


Regards,

Trudy.

Devonfamily

Hi All,

I just wanted to say Thank you very much for all your replies - thats very kind of you and I do appreciate your help and advice.

Yep I have the link to AutismSA and will send them an email.

We are going up to London for the weekend of 11/12/13 April to attend the Australian Immigration Expo at London Olympia - but I believe there is no-one there on Education.

I will contact the relevant Education Depts and AutismSA and let you know of the outcome.

Tx for all the help - which I am sure will be of great help to others on here in the same boat.

regards
Maz

Devonfamily

Hi Trudy,

Tx so much for your very informative message - which I am sure will be of great interest to others in the same boat.

I will "PM" you!

tx a mil

Devonfamily

Right........ whilst browsing the net on Friday afternoon - I came across this Aussie Immigration Agent "Your Migration Limited". After leaving about 3 different messages and leaving loads and loads of info with the girl about Daves Career, experience, degree and Jonathans Educational Needs - the guy has finally phoned me back!

He says that we are "in between a rock & a hard place" and he doesnt think we'll get our Visa - because of Jonathans Education. He didn't even give me a chance to explain Jonathans full needs and that he has Aspergers but is a very bright boy, got all his faculties about him and we have been told he will lead a normal adult life i.e. work - bring in an income, pay taxes, be independant etc. Also we have been told that Jonathan may be able to be re-intergrated into Mainstream in the future - but obviously with help! As I mentioned when I started this thread - I have even managed to speak to a Panel Doctor in Tavistock (another Agent recommended that I do this)! This Doc was very very helpful and I know of another family on the Forum who went through him with similar issues and are now living in Aus! I know every case is different.

Now Careerwise:

I told this chap (the Director) that Dave & I have done alot of research and know for a fact that "Procurement/Purchasing Managers" are in demand in Southern Aussie - Adelaide, and especially more so in the Aerospace Industry. There is a strong possibility that he can get sponsored (won't say the Companies name - but it's International). We have the information in Black & white! He is now telling me - "No such thing - it's not in demand" and he's had other people in this field.

Well then heck is the "Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply - Southern Australia" talking rubbish? I think not! Are there just total Mis-prints on websites then? I'm not just saying this - but being totally honest here - Dave knows his stuff in this Industry very very well.

Has anyone else used this Immigration Agent? I am so so not impressed!!:curse:

Devonfamily

Has nobody....... used "Your Migration Limited"???????????

Wendy

Never heard of them.

For help with the medical side of things you want to look at Peter Bollard. Also have a talk to George Lombard about the visa side of things, and he'll probably be able to advise on the medical side too.