Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has highlighted concerns over the need for appropriate funding for children with special needs, especially those with autism.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr O’Dea highlighted the anxiety of many parents to proposed changes to the Learning Support Funding Program.
“Many parents are not even aware of these potential changes while others, who want to know how the changes might impact on services to their children, are experiencing great difficulty in finding out more information.
“The result is that many parents, who are already burdened with the additional demands of a child with special needs, are now also facing the uncertainty of access to services,” he said.
“In particular, I am concerned about a shortfall of services for children with autism in the Northern Sydney area.
“Following a question I asked in Parliament, it was revealed the South Western Sydney area has 26 support classes at 18 schools for more than 900 students diagnosed with an autism or related disability. In comparison, the Northern Sydney area has just 4 support classes in only 3 schools for 511 students – clearly, a gross imbalance,” Mr O’Dea said.
“However, the need for adequate funding and facilities should not be at the expense of other sections of the community. For example, the Alikat Preschool at St. Ives recently received notice from the Department of Education to vacate its premises of 15 years to make way for two classes of autistic children.
“While I obviously welcome the additional facilities for autistic children, in this case it will result in a local business, with 60 young children and 8 employees being thrown into the street with little notice,” Mr O’Dea said.
“I have written to the Minister for Education to request an additional year’s notice be allowed to Alikat Preschool so it can locate alternate premises and obtain the necessary approvals to continue its valuable community service,” Mr O’Dea said.
