A nationwide survey has revealed that 90 percent of parents with at least one child with special learning needs agree that there should be more classroom support.
Whilst there was a similar proportion of those surveyed that were full of praise for their child’s teacher. However, 58 per cent were frustrated at the lack of resources and funding to support their autistic or neurodivergent child.
Dr Selina Samuels, Cluey’s Chief Learning Officer, said she understands how difficult it can be for parents of children with special learning needs to seek out additional learning support which ensures their child is making progress in the classroom.
“Parents reported that anxiety, difficulty focusing and being easily distracted are the top challenges for students who are neurodivergent or have a mental health condition,” added Dr Samuels.
The survey also identified that four out of five parents are worried about how their child is coping in class. Furthermore, a large proportion of parents – 71 per cent – feel their child needs more academic support outside the classroom.
NDIS Verses The Education Department.
The NDIS does fund a range of supports that can help your child at school. However, it can be tricky to get your head around which supports are NDIS-funded and which are provided by the school system.
Under the national Disability Standards for Education, an education provider must take reasonable steps to ensure that students with disabilities can participate and use the facilities and services provided, on the same basis as a student without a disability, and without experiencing discrimination.
School funding and support are provided for students who require support in all state, Catholic and independent schools. However, the programs and the amounts of funding available can vary within each school, child, and year level. The NDIS is designed to provide supports and services that the government does not fund. This includes the education department.
How I can get more support for my child’s learning.
We know teachers are committed to supporting all their students but are also operating in a complex and demanding environment. While tutoring is not specifically covered by the NDIS what is covered is
- Support in transition between primary, secondary or tertiary education.
- Having a mentor to support different learning stages.
- Providing advice and support for scholastic endeavours.
- Providing direction and skills for improving employment opportunities.
- Overcoming barriers around communication difficulties, learning disabilities and learning difficulties due to your disability.
Should I engage a tutor?
Dr Samuels has experienced first-hand how the tutoring at Cluey can help students who require additional support.
“Almost all parents who have used tutoring [such as online tutoring programs] have found it to be helpful for their child,”
“In fact, 44 percent of parents say one-to-one learning is essential. Importantly, more than one in two people surveyed said consistency with teachers and routines is crucial in their child’s learning development.
So how can you get more support around education in your NDIS plan?
- Be prepared to talk about your school during your NDIS planning meeting.
- Make a list of goals related to education.
- List any supports that may assist with learning.
- Make a list of the barriers that affect your learning and how they relate to your disability eg Autism, trouble with executive function, or communication difficulties.
- Engage an Autism or disability Advocate to attend the NDIS planning meeting with you.
For more information on Tutoring, classroom support, or advocacy, head to our free directory.