A Launceston parent has lashed out at the lack of disability support services in state schools, after her daughter’s sensory tent was replaced with a cardboard barrier.
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The girl, who is enrolled in a Northern primary school has been diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Her mother, which The Examiner has chosen not to identify, said she had approached the school about installing a sensory tent in her daughter’s classroom to help curb her “meltdowns”.
Last year, a tent was placed in the classroom, to positive effect, however, it was removed and replaced with an opened-up cardboard box next to a wall and near a bin.
“I called it the ‘dog box’ because it was basically like they were treating my daughter like an animal,” the mother said.
Labor’s education spokeswoman Michelle O'Byrne said it was clear recommendations from a 2014 review into supports for students with disabilities were not being met or driven by Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff.
“It is also entirely inappropriate that a grade 2 child should be suspended three times and then not be on an appropriate management plan to support her in her education,” she said.
“The school clearly needs more resources to be able to respond to this appropriately.
“If we can't support her now then we’re clearly not giving her the pathway she not only deserves but is absolutely entitled to.”
Mr Rockliff told parliament on Wednesday he was not aware the girl’s behaviour had been controlled in that particular way.
“We will make sure that we improve the circumstances within that school to ensure that never happens again,” he said.
An Education Department spokesperson said a teacher’s aide was provided to the school as soon as the department was made aware of the situation.
“Anyone with complex behavioural needs are always supported in schools through learning plans,” they said.
Tasmanian Disability Education Reform Lobby spokeswoman Kristen Desmond said there needed to be more accountability on management of students with disabilities as the consequences for parents outweighed the consequences for schools.
“Clearly we have a long way to go if a school considers this an appropriate adjustment,” she said.