My name is Leane Holmes and from a very early age I have been involved with Special Needs Children. My mother worked at Marsden and Cumberland Hospitals where children and adults with all differing disabilities were institutionalized by their parents. For many centuries children were hidden away from society due to their special conditions, even to the point of terminating pregnancies due to the possibility of something being wrong. Even back in the 1960's-1980's care was undertaken by a hospital or institutionalized setting, as these parents were not prepared for the disgrace on the family of such 'NON PERFECT CHILDREN'.
Growing up in this era I never saw the difference between these so-called spastic children and myself, due to my Mother's influence. It was appalling to me to know that family members were ashamed of their children. I witnessed the changes from the hospital/institutions to independent living with assistance in the late 1970's into the 1980's. This change in society's approach towards the past and the treatment of these children was definitely a major step towards inclusion. However I felt that the stigma still existed in society.
In late 1999 my first daughter was born 15 weeks premature, dying at 14 weeks of age. She would have had many physical and emotional issues, I strongly believed at this time that her ongoing disabilities would not have prevented her living life to her full aspirations due to society's changing views. Disabilities were now part of the main stream school society. However, at the time of her death I stopped being involved with the Disability Issues amongst children in our society. I had stopped working in the Disability field and for my own emotional reasons concentrated on the Aged Sector.
By early 2002 I was blessed with a baby boy, after many doctors' visits and assessments, in 2003 he was diagnosed with Global Developmental Delay with other issues. He started with an Early Intervention Program in 2004. There was no sign of AUTISM with the first diagnoses, then in 2005 he went from the original diagnose to that of having a Severe Level of Autism. My husband and I were shocked for many weeks, we cried, we grieved but we were lucky, our boy had already undertaken an Early Intervention Program and was gaining small milestones in his progression. During this time I blamed myself, I believed it was my fault as the reactions from family and friends were from the dark ages. Really nothing has changed in society towards these children except more programs are now available. In 2009 our daughter at 6 years of age was diagnosed with High Functioning Autism and also has had her difficulties with society expectations and school limitations.
2014 my son was 12, in main stream school in a support class at Sanctuary Point Public School (SPPS) with the best teachers (Mrs Matheson, Mrs Brumley, the teachers' aides, Linda, Sharon and Jo) and Principal (Mr Jeff Ward). The school has turned away from the trend of Segregation to an Inclusive policy of teaching and student participation. Due to this positive approach to our children, no matter what their abilities, my son Nicholas has gone from a non-verbal child to a boy that wants to learn, that participates in the way the school runs (by being voted in 2013 a part of the School Representative Council) and is very skilled on the computer. Today, 2016 my son is attending a main stream high school, doing his utmost to fulfill his dreams and without the dedicated teachers at SPPS I do not believe he would be as well adjusted and striving towards being the best he can be.
This can not be said for my daughter. The inconsistency of teaching staff and the lack of benchmarks by teachers has seen my daughters schooling suffer. I am not blaming the school nor the teachers I would like to make it clear, it is the need for a consistent and routine that creates a sense of belonging for Autistic children, without this my daughter suffered and begun to fall through the cracks. It took dedicated teachers and in conjunction with us her parents have now begun a new role in her learning going forward. With this we are hoping she has the same opportunity as our son who is now striving and doing well with the consistency in learning and education he has been afforded in primary school.
Therefore I have become more focused again on the way in which special needs children are treated, educated and their position within society. I have been very blessed with a very approachable and friendly network of teachers, doctors and specialists who have all supported the way we believe our son and daughter should receive their education and take their place in modern society.
Leane Holmes