CHILDREN with autism in mainstream primary schools have suffered depression or anxiety and ‘‘wanted to die’’ because of their school attendance.

Their worried parents discovered a last resort in the state’s Tasmanian eSchool, where children received their education in online classrooms or some on-campus time, and get personalised, one-on-one support from specialised teachers. 

These parents are now angered by the state government’s decision to cut teachers at the eSchool and are concerned their children will be forced back into the mainstream school system.

Last week, education spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne raised the teacher cuts with Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff in parliament, who responded that students who attended the eSchool for medical or psychological reasons were usually there for a short-term only and that the staff quota at the school had been excessive.

Mr Rockliff has since added that there has been no change in policy regarding the Tasmanian eSchool.

“There is an administrative process change that will not impact on funding, resources or staffing formulas of the Tasmanian eSchool,’’ he said.

‘‘I want to assure parents that their child will still receive the high level of education, programs and support into the future. 

‘‘The Tasmanian eSchool and its staff are an invaluable resource and the support they provide our remote and vulnerable students plays an essential role in our education system.’’

But the words come as cold comfort to Northern parents who have already experienced the strains and trauma of having their child attend mainstream school.

Gina and Ben Cunningham’s son Brayden has high functioning autism and an IQ above 100.

He suffered extreme anxiety in his normal school, which presented as aggression and meltdowns that led to huge disruptions in class and required full-time teacher support.

When the school suggested to the Cunninghams that he be placed on the drug Ritalin and his learning as a third grader was that of a child in grade one, the couple said Brayden came home not wanting to live anymore.

The family were ready to move interstate where schools for children with autism exist widely when they discovered eSchool. 

‘‘I don’t expect them to whip up a heap of autism schools but we have got something here that works really well,’’ Mr Cunningham said.

‘‘You take out half the teachers that are working there and it is not going to function the same.’’

Similarly, Legana mother Trudi Hogg said her six-year-old daughter developed depression because of school attendance.

‘‘Due to her traumatic experiences, we haven’t attempted a transition back to mainstream school,’’ she said.

‘‘My daughter has made it clear that she does not want to go back.

‘‘That learning environment does not work for her, and the support from her eSchool teachers is amazing. They know her personality and her needs.’’

It’s a situation repeated again and again for other parents across the state, like Michelle Horder and Jenni-Lee Ranginui.

Ms Ranginui said her son Ryan, 12, has said he wants to eventually attend university.

‘‘The thing that concerns me is he is not going to continue in this program that supports his special needs,’’ she said.

‘‘If his support collapses, I believe that he potentially could end up on a disability pension and not make a contribution to society as an adult.’’ 

The cuts to eSchool come at a time when the government has made other changes to alternative education programs, including a closure or relocation of Big Picture schools in Hobart and Launceston.

Mr Rockliff said in parliament last week that all flexible eduction programs had been reviewed to ensure they were fit for purpose.

Education spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said it was very disappointing that this ‘‘secret’’ review and changes came at a time when the Ministerial Taskforce into disability education had found improvements were needed.