We are asking people to lend their support in our current fight to have Taylor placed at a School for the Deaf or Deaf facility.
Our story is explained in detail below. Grab a cuppa, have a read and if you agree that Taylor should be able to access deaf education - add your comments.
Your time and assistance is much appreciated.
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This is simply bureaucracy gone mad. Of course Taylor should be able to access deaf education. I hope an exception can be made.
ReplyDeleteIf a child with the potential to live a rich, fulfilled life is denied the opportunity that will allow her to do so it will be a huge tragedy. Clearly the deaf school or mailstream school with a deaf unit are the only acceptable options for Taylor. I can't believe we live in a country that would deny her either of those choices. I pray that the right decision is made. For Taylor's sake.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Stephanie Woolridge
Regardless of Taylor's medical diagnosis the fact remains that she is deaf and her best means of communication is Auslan. If a learning environment that is rich in Auslan language and culture is going to give Taylor the best opportunity to live a full life, we should not deny her this opportunity.
ReplyDeleteMy blood just boils reading the hurdles you are facing. This is clearly a case of some bureaucrat following a check list rather than apply a common sense "what would be best for the child" approach. I hope that you having involved your local MP and any other contacts who might help you win this battle. Best of luck.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so angry. Here is a child who could absolutely thrive if placed in the appropriate environment. It seems clear that a school for the deaf would suit her and allow her to grow and develop to fulfil her potential. Let's hope that someone sees sense and stops this bureaucratic nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThere are always exceptions to the rule. Taylor should be permitted to attend the most appropriate educational setting for her needs.
ReplyDeleteI cannot understand why a child needs the 'right kind of deafness' to be accepted?! I hope that someone can see some sense in this beuracratic mess so that she can have the education support in the most appropriate environment that suits her needs. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYou already know how ridiculous I think the whole burecratic mess is! I really hope they come to their senses and let Taylor access the type of support she needs. Having such a rare condition surely the rules can be adjusted!
ReplyDeleteLaura
I cannot believe that parents are still having to fight the system to get the help their children need.
ReplyDeleteI fought the system and lost to get a diagnosis for my daughter as she had no clear systems of one disease but of many. She was finally diagnosed with Aspergers at aged 18...way to late for help now, and there are NO support groups for Adults with Aspergers, only children.
Why can't the system for once think of the kids, why must we as parents fight tooth and nail to get somewhere, often failing our duty to our children to help and protect them?
I hope for once your daughter gets the helps she desperately needs.
Lynn Morgan EB
Hey Peta,
ReplyDeleteI truly hope that you can get Taylor the education the deserves. It is crazy to think that she will be excluded based on a definition that needs to be updated.
Wish there was more I could offer. But you have my support of course!
Anna (from EB) xx
I think it's simple - Taylor communicates in Auslan...therefore she needs to go to a school that operates in an Auslan environment. Best wishes for her acceptance and another vote of support.
ReplyDeleteHi Peta,
ReplyDeleteI totally support you & Taylor, it is heart breaking to think that you continually have to fight & fight again to ensure your dear little girl can access the support services she requires. I too agree that the definitions needs to be updated! Surely you will be able to win on this one - anyone with commonsense can work that out! Good luck.
Nat & Taylor
I truely hope that you can get Taylor into an Auslan school.. There needs to be exceptions to all rules and it sounds like she would benefit from that environment. Good luck
ReplyDeleteEmma ( from EB)
You have my support. As a mother of a special needs child and the aunt of special needs twins i am constantly disgusted at how children are allowed to slip through the cracks because they dont meet specified "norms" for specified illnesses. More should be done for Taylor and other children to give them the education they deserve!!!! Taylor has a right to an education such as school for the deaf, as she is that and speaks using auslan! its disgusting she might be blocked because she is the wrong kind of deaf. Good luck with your fight!!! I will be cheering for you!!! (clarebear1983-EB)
ReplyDeleteTaylor sounds like an excepional child and deserves the opportunity to an education that will assist her in achieving all her dreams ad living an exceptional life.
ReplyDeleteIt should never be about just fitting in the box. Every individual should be treated as exactly that 'an individual' Taylor deserves the best education that suits her individual needs.
ReplyDeleteAt the age of 6 Taylor has already shown amazing strength, determination and resiliance. Taylor's achievements and her ability to overcome any obstacle she faces has given us all a glimpse of what she has to offer and what she can achieve if given the opportunity. The thought of Taylor missing out on the best education possible because she doesn't fit into an antiquated definition of 'deafness' is frustrating and disappointing. Taylor should be assessed based on her individual needs. Taylor has already proved she can achieve anything she just needs to be given the chance.
ReplyDeleteHave you been in touch with Deaf Children Australia? Perhaps they can assist in advocating for you and Taylor? What state are you in?
ReplyDeleteI admire your willingness and ability to fight for your child! I wish that more parents of Deaf kids could see the issues as clearly as you do - e.g. how do education departments expect 'teacher aides' to enable access to genuine communication (and in most cases, provide language modelling which kids miss out on at home) if they're paid a pittance and not expected to have any interpreting qualifications?
best of luck with your fight!
I know full well the frustration you are experiencing as my son also has LKS and I have been fighting for 8 months to get a teacher's aide for my 7 year old son. Keep up the fight as your daughter needs you. I think it is disgusting that just because a child does not fit the perfect little box they are unable to access education they need. Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteYou have my heartfelt sympathy - my daughter has Down Syndrome - lOVES signing - and recently got the 'mild intellectual disability' label - which it seems leaves her with very little in education choices she is to start school next year with her 'typical' twin brother). She doesn't have any hearing loss (gromets though) - but if I could I'd definitely consider a signing rich learning environment for her because her visual processing is so much more effective for her than her auditory ones alone. I too am a teacher - and yes have never felt so disillusioned with education. I hate the inflexibility of eligibility criteria - all children are unique - especially our atypical models - there needs to be some common sense in the process - I hope you find some for Taylor. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteMany people have children who don't fit into the box the system creates. We as parents have to fight for our children far too often as these people can only see as far as the end of there desk allows. They can not see the possibilites which Talor may have if they look a little further. They can not see the benefits for all if children like Taylor are allowed to florish/ blossom in the setting best suited to them. A school setting whic uses Auslan.
ReplyDeleteThis is mad! There is no question, where Taylor belongs. Her mother is obviously an intelligent and educated parent that does not deserve to have time taken away from caring for her kids to cut red tape! Is it not hard enough raising a child with special needs? Good luck too you and Taylor.
ReplyDeleteMy son is very similar to Taylor. He was diagnosed with LKS 5 years ago.. He was introduced to sign language and this has become his main means of communication though he is also using verbal language. He attends a public school in a DHH(deaf and hard of hearing)class. Sign language is used all day as well as verbal language.
ReplyDeleteHis level of expressive language has increased 2 years in just this past school year. Before this year, Zander had a sign language interpreter work with him throughout the day, so that academically he could understand what was going on, he was in classrooms geared toward children on the autism spectrum and was picking up behaviors. I had to explain to the school district how crucial sign language was for Zander, the verbal word doesn't exist unless there is a sign for it. That description seemed to make sense to them because he was given the sign language consultant for 3 years and then I was able to transfer him to this new school. LKS kids NEED an alternate mode of communication, and if they don't provide this opportunity they are holding these kids back.
I wish you all the luck in the world, please keep me updated.
Rosa
mom to Zander, 10, LKS
I will be praying for your battle. I am glad that there are professionals and advocates that will assist you through the process... You know the best options for your special learner! My son has had seizures everyday for 5 years. He also uses sign in conjuction with spoken word to communicate. I know exactly the fights you fight, and know that it is ALWAYS worth it!! YES Taylor should have the appropriate setting for her learning style!
ReplyDeleteHeather Jackson
www.ataleoftwokings.blogspot.com
It is incredibly frustrated to read that a child is pigeon holed so thoughtlessly within the 'system' of education. In a country like Australia, where we pride ourselves on having a "fair and just" education system, we're letting down children like Taylor. She is bright and enthusiastic and it breaks my heart to think that the bureaucracy will prevent her from having the opportunities she deserves. She is lucky to have parents who are educated themselves, and able to negotiate the system. There must be so many other children out there like Taylor who don't have that advantage. For those kids, as well as for Taylor, it's important that we all put our hands up and say 'This is not right'. As an educator I was taught to treat each student as an individual with individual needs. If the system isn't able to do that, what hope have any of us got? Taylor deserves the best education for her and her needs, as does any child. Good luck, Peta. I look forward to hearing good news soon! Cheers, Eliza
ReplyDeleteTaylor, like every child, deserves the right to be the best that she can be. Well done Peta for fighting, on Taylors behalf, for the right education that can allow Taylor to reach this potential. All the best, Jo Johnson, RSC
ReplyDeleteAs an educator I have observed the following expectations in our current education system...
ReplyDeleteStudents are expected to think creatively, outside the square so to speak, to use problem solving skills and high order thinking to resolve issues. To plan and order work to allow for contingencies.
Teachers are expected to plan and deliver curriculum that meets individual learning needs. To see each student as unique, with a distinctive set of skills, abilities and strengths. To hone and foster these skills, abilities and strengths by providing a comprehensive program that allows for individuality. To assist those students who might struggle with the curriculum and extend those who show promise. In all, to be flexible and creative inside and outside the classroom.
Schools are expected to provide a safe and secure learning environment where students feel valued and respected. To provide opportunities for all students. To engage students in the process of learning and to involve them in decision making processes.
Now let's consider who has made all these recommendations for students, teachers and schools...hmmm...the beauracrats. Maybe not the same bureaucrats that have made this abitrary decision about Taylor, but nonetheless bureaucrats of the same officialdom. Can anyone else see the hyprocracy!?
I'll use a simple analogy, hopefully the beauracrats will be able to see past their tickboxes to understand this one. Round peg, square hole! Now if myself or any of my colleagues had this approach to education we would be considered unprofessional. Even students presented with the round peg, square hole problem today would be encouraged to think outside the square, sorry about the pun. They would be asked to think around the dilemma and would be encouraged to ask meaningful questions and come up with resolutions like, "why can't we make a hole that fits all shapes Miss?" And the situation with Taylor is that simple.
So I ask the bureaucrats to do the following...
1. Loosen your neckties
2. Roll up your sleeves
3. Work out the grey matter a little, and
4. Come up with a solution for Taylor!
Keep fighting Peta! Claire
Having met Taylor, I know what a lovely child she is and for this condition to have happened to her in the first place is unthinkable - for her then not to be allowed to access the education she so obviously needs is a double whammy. I find it hard to understand why each individual case is not judged on its own set of circumstances. This condition is rare but it exists, therefore it is important that it is also understood and provisions are made so that a child like Taylor gets the education fitting for someone with this condition, which is clearly in a deaf school. If there is anything more I can do to help you, Peta, apart from adding to this petition, please let me know. The situation is infuriating! You deserve all the positive thoughts in the world. Adele
ReplyDeleteIt should never be this hard to give Taylor the support she needs and its so crucial that she gets it while she's still young. I wish you all the best in your fight and I hope it helps to pave the way for other children to be assessed according to their needs and not on exclusive criteria.
ReplyDeleteI heartily support your fight to have Taylor placed into a sytem that will benefit her. In my mind Taylor has a need that is met by using Auslan. Whether she is deaf by the definition of our enlightened beaurocrats or not is neither here nor there. The whole point is this little girl CANNOT hear but she CAN function IF she is able to be taught using Auslan. She DOES NOT need a minder or carer but she DOES deserve the chance to function to her true ability. So to all the people out there who make the decisions, let's give this little girl and others like her a go and give her the opportunity she needs to be able to be the best she can and succeed in life. Every child deserves to be valued and given a chance to succeed. We have the means to do it ( shools which specialise in hearing impaired and Auslan) so let's use them to their full advantage for ALL who need it. I will keep checking on your posts to see how you are going. My thoughts and prayers and any other support I can offer are with you. All the best
ReplyDeleteMargaret Carey