Damson

Hi. We are just starting to think seriously about moving to New Zealand but I have a major sticking point. Here's some background:

Our son (age 11 this week) has been diagnosed ADHD. The hyperactive aspect of his condition is just that he fidgets and squirms in his seat and likes nothing better than getting in the open air and running ; he loves cross country. He isn't a bouncing of the ceiling character or trashing the place kid and will sit for hours watching TV and building Lego. He does need boundaries and doesn't recognise shades of grey.

He starts senior school on 3 September which he is looking forward to. He has been assessed as part of his diagnosis as gifted and talented. The school is a very high achieving grammar school and discipline and rules abound. Poor behaviour isn't tolerated. The school have said they have a fair few "quirky" kids like him as clever kids think and act in a different way to "normal" ones. As such we are pretty confident it will be a good environment for him. Our daughter (age 14 (just starting year 10) is also at a single sex grammar and really doesn't like it; she would rather have boys in school too. She isn't highly academic but is more than holding her own so that's fine.



Obviously timings aren't great academically for them but time is running out for U.S. visa-wise. OH is 52 (structural/civil engineer) and if we wait for the kids to finish school we'll be too old. We had a perm residency visa for OZ but it expired. The exchange rate the was so poor we backed out and have always regretted it).

My biggest question is, would the education system there suit an ADHD boy - how well is it catered for/is it really accepted as a condition in schools. I'd be interested in hearing from others who have/know of ADHD kids' experiences and can recommend schools (private or state) that would be good. We don't have a fixed area though probably North Island as its warmer!!!

Thank you for reading.

MrsFychan

depends totally on the school but from close experience from others and discussions through ex pats coffee met up most seem to miss the UK education system and what it has to offer for children with needs. It all comes down to the school decision for asking for funding. one school that I know of the Principal doesn't believe that dyslexia is a condition so no funding would be sort for any child presenting with that !

MOSO

Of course there are children here with ADHD who succeed and children with special needs are successfully catered for mostly in the mainstream system. Our local school has a high proportion of children with special needs and has an excellent programme in place. The system is different to the UK though, as is the curriculum which is stating the obvious really!

Firstly you need to check out how the diagnosis affects your visa application.

Secondly, when you look at a school asks to speak to their SENCO (the teacher/DP who is charge of children with special needs) who will explain the system clearly to you.

Funding can be applied for through the SENCO for an IEP (Individual Educational Programme) which will include teacher aide support and specialist teacher support. Classroom teachers also refer children (via the SENCO) to specialist teachers (RTLB - resource teachers, learning and behaviour).
The next stage of funding is ORRS for higher needs.
Have a look at Education

For children who are gifted and talented, there are also one-day schools available across the country. Home, New Zealand Centre for Gifted Education http://www.giftededucation.org.nz/do...prospectus.pdf

I hope I haven't confused you with too many acronyms!

Damson

Unreal and very annoying. How can anyone not believe dyslexia doesn't exist? Someone close to me has it and it's definately real. You've got no chance if the Principal is against you. Grrrr.

Damson

That's really helpful and thanks for the links and explanation of the system. . My son liked the idea a one day school!!

It looks as though we would be OK visa-wise. I hadn't even thought of the school funding aspect as it's not something that has been mentioned here - it's just something I've taken for granted.

Thanks again.

bourbon-biscuit

Just to clarify: one day school is one day per week and the rest in regular school, unless you opt to homeschool.

BEVS

NZ Immigration have a policy with regard to who would not be eligible for a visa because of the chance they could cost the NZ education system $$$.

New Zealand Immigration has this to say about those that could require ORS funding.

Please take a care over this.

MrsFychan

I thought one day school was for children that are well above their peer level so the state school cannot cover their needs? also you have to pay for them?

BEVS

If the lad is gifted and has a good place at a UK grammar school and with funding already in place for his needs, ADHD or otherwise, then I must say I am a little unsettled to think that this family would move to NZ and hope for the same level of care.

The OP has not written if her son is 'statemented' in the UK to aid her gifted child or to help with the anxieties that ADHD causes to children with this .

If there is a whiff that funding might be needed , then New Zealand Immigration will likely turn down any visa application.

So, that would leave the family with the thought that they perhaps not declare his needs at application stage. That leaves the lad in a vulnerable position should they come to NZ, as funding would not be available . Should they then think to apply for funding subsequent to any visa being issued, NZIS might well declare their visas void due to omission. Certainly any school with the tight budgets they have might not be amenable to find themselves in that position.

bourbon-biscuit

Yes, that's right(ish). It's not necessarily that state school can't cover their needs; arguably more because their needs are really well met in ODS and they are fortunate enough to be in a family that can access it.
But it's not *instead* of regular school but as well as. Generally enrichment rather than extension, as such. Probably varies a lot depending on areas also.

Damson

Thanks all, that's great (I think!). Bourbon-Biscuit sorry, it was just my humour. My son rather fancied the idea of only going to school one day per week. Lol.

No, to be honest Bevs we aren't expecting things to be the same as the school he will be starting next week. However, he's adaptable, sociable and a survivor and settles into most surroundings so we are as hopeful that things will work out in a school there as here. There's nothing to say that he will settle any better into his school here as any other. Bit vague I know, but at the end of it, and selfish as it sounds, the move would be for all of us and to not go because of his issues isn't right on our daughter (or us!). He is excited about the move too. In the not-too-distant future he will leave home and we will be left anyway; either here or in the UK, by which time emigration will be too late.

He isn't statemented as his paediatrician didn't think it necessary. He isn't on medication. The SENCO will be talking to his teachers to bring them up-to-speed on his situation, but that seems to be all that will happen. I'm not aware that much more will be going on behind the scenes. She will also be his form teacher. As such, I'm not sure what cost implication there would be for him in any school, so that may go in our favour.

Even though his Paediatrician's letters are not painting him as a nightmare (in fact she seems pretty relaxed about him) we wouldn't risk not telling immigration. We'd rather be upfront than be worrying about implications down the line.

Thanks for raising these issues; it has certainly given us pause for thought.

LoCarb

Such an inspiring story!

Wildboy: Why Brando Yelavich walked the coast of NZ

Wildboy: Why Brando Yelavich walked the coast of NZ | Stuff.co.nz

Damson

I saw this chap on the news and he was awesome. Given his challenges, to be able to pick himself up by the bootstraps is even more remarkable. It's unfortunate that he went the way of substance abuse as do so many ADHD people, but he overcame that. With his attitude he would probably tell you he was lucky to have ADHD as it will have provided him with the amazing amount of energy that he will have needed to do this. That along with the single minded, unequivocal focus they have for something that interests or excites them (so ironic given their usual inability to concentrate). That's what my son would say.

Pulaski

This. If your children are settled in good schools it seems ill-advised to move them and hope that you can find other schools as good. Schooling between ages 11-18 builds the foundation on which higher education and/or their careers are built.

I would sooner saw off my right arm than move my child between schools between ages 10 and 18.

bourbon-biscuit

To be fair, dyslexia is a hotly debated subject right now. It is not "definitely real", as such; there are some compelling arguments that it is not different from general low reading ability and that the use of a special term detracts from finding out what really works (there is a LOT of bogus science out there about "dyslexia) and also focuses attention on those who are able to access a label that is not available to a lot of kids. I'm not saying I have an opinion either way (I prefer uncertainty!), but it's not accurate to state it is definitely real just because it is commonly diagnosed. It is an interesting area that is being debated by some of the world's brightest minds. It will be interesting to see in the future. If a principal told me s/he didn't think dyslexia existed I would be interested in why they thought that and how they ensure the reading needs of all the kids are met.

Reminder (cos folk have a tendency to flip off about this): I do not have a strong opinion either way - I am leaving it to greater minds than mine to thrash out and am mostly interested in the debate as it unfolds rather than in what is the 'right' answer.