Mum says she feels let down by SA government's autism strategy

Australia Broadcast Center

7 hours ago

Paige Carter and her son Oaklan were front and centre when the Premier unveiled the state's first Minister for Autism almost three years ago.
Ms Carter welcomed the "world leading" appointment of Emily Bourke and the state government promised to deliver nation-leading autism reforms.
But the mother-of-two said she now felt "let down" and as though her family and the autism community were "used" by the government.
"... He [the Premier] can announce skyscrapers and LIV Golf and all these really cool exciting things for the state and yes they're amazing, but what about our little kids who can't even access an education?"
The government has pushed back against these claims, pointing to the rollout of 400 autism inclusion teachers in state schools and saying they have delivered far beyond what was promised in the lead up to the 2022 election.
Ms Carter said six-year-old Oaklan had struggled to adjust to school life.
He has autism, ADHD and epilepsy and had initially coped well when he started school last year with a smaller class and extra support from his teacher and other staff.
She said her son fell into a grey area, not qualifying for special education but not fitting into mainstream schools.
"The environment just isn't right for him, and he's not supported the way he needs to be supported," Ms Carter said.
Ms Carter said Oaklan was now only attending school three times a week for 90-minute periods.
"He says things such as 'I hate my brain', 'my brain is stupid', 'me don't want to be me', things like that and it's really awful and it's all at the hands of him not having a schooling option that's right for him," Ms Carter said.
"He doesn't qualify for Special Ed, but he doesn't fit in mainstream but there's nothing for our kids in-between.
"It's a grey area, he's now at the point where he's experienced a major burnt out, autistic burnout, and major regression."
A Department for Education spokesperson said Ms Carter was "offered an option of a special class for her son" with a school offering her a tour, but she turned down the placement.
"The department will continue to work [with] her and the family and have invited Ms Carter to be part of an existing parent forum/reference group," the spokesperson said.
SA Autism Minister Emily Bourke defended the state government's autism strategy; she said tens of millions of dollars had been spent on autism specific initiatives that were already having an impact, with more than 400 autism inclusion teachers now working in state primary schools.
"That change isn't going to happen overnight. It is going to take time because we are undoing learnings that have been in place for decades," she said.
In response to questions about Oaklan's school experience, Ms Bourke said the government was trying to work with families to find the right support.
"That's never easy to hear, and I guess as a government we're trying to work with families," Ms Bourke said.
"There are many families in our school system and we try and work with them when we're aware of what is needed.
However, Ms Bourke denied Paige Carter's criticism that the autism community had been let down.
She said Labor Government had delivered far beyond what is promised in the lead-up to the state election in 2022.
The SA Premier was also contacted for comment.
The state's peak autism body, Autism SA, said despite the government's investments and the creation of the state's autism strategy, many people in the autistic community felt the government had not delivered any real change to their lives.
"[Paige] represents perhaps a good portion of the autistic and autism community, particularly the parents of autistic students who feel change hasn't happened quick enough," CEO Helen Graham said.
"So I can see certainly why she feels let down.
Ms Carter has also questioned the effectiveness of autism inclusion teachers.
She said a specific classroom for autistic students with specialist teachers and support staff in schools would be a better option.
"Our autistic kids are amazing and they have such incredible qualities, but we need people to nurture them the way that we as their parents do, for their life to be successful," Ms Carter said.
Autism Minister Emily Bourke and the Education Department said that approach had "failed" in the past.
"Some of those experiments where we've put autistic kids together in the past, we did it in South Australia years and years ago and they've failed and they've not really worked very well for students," Education Department chief executive, Martin Westwell said.
Mr Westwell said that South Australia's autism reforms were world leading and praised the creation of autism inclusion teachers.
"That's something that has been incredibly successful," Mr Westwell said.
"I think we can build on that success and we're thinking about expanding from primary schools and where that might be successful in secondary schools."
But Autism SA CEO Helen Graham said having more supports were needed beyond adding extra responsibilities for teachers through the autism inclusion teacher program.
"This idea that we ask a teacher to be everything all the time is unfair … there are so many organisations out there that autism is everything they know and do," Ms Graham said.
"They're a good start, but are they are they actually achieving the outcomes that the individuals need? I'm not sure, time will tell.
"I think what we're hearing is the community saying we've waited two years, autism inclusion teachers came in in 2023 … and we're not getting those results, but I think what they can be reassured of is that the minister does listen."
Ms Carter is now vowing to keep pressure on the state government to do more to help her son and thousands of children across the state facing the same challenges.
"Our children should not be left behind just because it's going to cost more money.
"Our kids deserve an education just like any other child."