City push for autism school

By John Van Klaveren
A GROUP of parents is pushing for an autism-specific school in Geelong.
Group spokesperson Magic Barkley said autism diagnosis rates in the region were increasing, with some areas as high as one in 25.
“Geelong is behind the eight ball for services to families of children on the autism spectrum,” Ms Barkley said.
“We estimate up to 40 per cent of children on the autism spectrum would be suitable to attend an autism specific school.
“Melbourne has four dedicated autism spectrum disorder (ASD) schools but we have nothing.”
Ms Barkley said Geelong’s existing schools for children with disabilities – Barwon Valley School and Nelson Park – had significant numbers of ASD students.
“Nelson Park has 40 per cent of its students on the autism spectrum. There are also large numbers of ASD students in mainstream schools who should not be there.
“Then there are students who are at Nelson Park who could be in mainstream schools with more help.
“I know of students who have been shunted from mainstream schools to Nelson Park and back again.
“It’s a broken system that just can’t keep up. Government is turning its back on families left, right and centre.”
A spokesman for Education Minister Martin Dixon said State Government was committed to supporting ASD students in Geelong.
The students had additional support including psychologists, speech therapists and a teaching coach through the region’s “autism-friendly learning plan”.
The spokesman said a significant number of students at Nelson Park and Barwon Valley had a dual diagnosis of ASD.
“The needs of these students are being considered in the planning for special schooling provision into the future.”