9 December 2018

Ask RiotACT: Public primary school recommendation for child with learning difficulties

9 December 2018 | npact

Hi Rioters.

We are relocating to Canberra next year. My son is diagnosed with Autism and has learning difficulties too. He is attending a mainstream school with some support. Hoping to put him in a similar setting. I’m now looking around for any suitable public schools to enroll him in.

Parents, if you have any recommendation about schools I’d love to know.

Regards,

Sonia

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Elizabeth Zatschler5:58 am 10 Dec 18

If the children need a specialist unit the Education Directorate will find an appropriate placement.

Stacey Griffiths11:00 pm 09 Dec 18

Gilmore Primary school has one of the best units in Canberra frm what I’ve heard from friends. I know people who have moved to be in area for it!

Jim Roy9:56 pm 09 Dec 18

Hope it goes well for you Sonia, good luck, welcome to Canberra.

Natasha RiRi9:55 pm 09 Dec 18

You may also want to ask on this group: https://m.facebook.com/groups/174969582702823

Jan Hurley9:51 pm 09 Dec 18

Agree with Peta, the Education Directorate is the way to go if additional supports are needed at schools. More information and contact details can be found here.
https://www.education.act.gov.au/school_education/disability_education

Karen Nicholson9:45 pm 09 Dec 18

I agree with Peta Siebert. Approaching individual schools can be time consuming and not very informative.

Peta Siebert9:38 pm 09 Dec 18

Best bet would be to contact the special education unit of the ACT education department. There are Autism units in some public school as well as learning support units. Not all schools have these support units but the education department can provide the correct advice on how to enrol in one.

pangaeagirl9:37 pm 09 Dec 18

Hello Sonia, Can I ask how old your son is? Many primary schools (and high schools and colleges) in the ACT have Learning Support Units (some general, some autism-specific), so it’s worth taking a look at this list of those: https://www.education.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/1135380/2018-Programs-and-units-PDF.pdf Both my sons have learning difficulties and one has ASD. We have found the Early Childhood School environment here very supportive, if your son is under year 3. Happy to answer any questions. Best, PG

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npact1:37 pm 20 Dec 18

Thanks pangaeagirl. My son is 7 years old. His therapy needs to be conducted in school as me and my husband both will work. I heard that some primary school in ACT are very fussy if therapist conduct their therapy in school. Do you have any experience on that.

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