Dalwood Parents Action Group

A mother’s message: ‘Dubbo deserves better’

KATE COWLING

10 Nov, 2010 04:00 AM

The mother of a seven-year-old Dubbo boy with a learning disability has vowed to take her son’s case to Parliament House.

Laurinne Campbell’s son, Kris, still can’t read or write and the distressed mother-of-three said she’s tired of waiting for a verdict on his condition.

“Our mission, by Sunday night, is to have 2000 flyers in mailboxes and shop windows to let people know that Dubbo deserves better,” she said.

“We’ll also be setting up a petition at one of the major shopping centres.”

Mrs Campbell said she felt regional cities were being overlooked when it came to learning disabilities. Kris was referred to the Dalwood Assessment Centre earlier in the month, but wasn’t presented with any new advice. The case was dismissed without sufficient explanation, she said.

“As taxpayers, we’re funding that centre in Sydney and it’s not delivering for our kids,” Mrs Campbell said.

“Kris has been brave enough to put a face to these issues, but we know for a fact he’s not the only boy in the area with this condition,” she said.

A spokesman for state Education Minister Verity Firth said the Centre for Effective Reading in Dubbo will open its doors in early 2011.

In regard to Kris’ case, Ms Firth’s spokesman reiterated the first port of call was the school.

“Parents should contact their child’s teacher and school to discuss the child’s progress and interventions specifically tailored for the child,” he said.

“The intervention for the child will be significantly enhanced when there is open and strong collaboration, shared planning and support for the child that involves both the school and the family.”

In terms of further assistance, the minister’s spokesman said there were a number of programs available in government schools.

“The NSW Department of Education and Training offers a range of specialist services to support the specific learning needs of students with difficulties in the basic areas of learning through its Learning Assistance Program,” he said.

“Additionally each school has a learning support team. The learning support team meets regularly to assist student learning by facilitating planning between teachers, parents, support personnel and where relevant, students,” Mr Firth’s spokesman said.

Since publishing Mrs Campbell’s story yesterday, the Daily Liberal has been inundated with responses from concerned residents.

One mother, who preferred to remain unnamed, said she’d experienced similar issues with her children and suggested the Royal Far West Children’s Health Service in Manly. Another three women recommended support services in the Dubbo area.

COMMENTS:

I fully support the maintenance of Dalwood support services. Lets hope it is bigger and better in its new form. I also support the suggestions about having his visual problems diagnosed, but I'm sure his family would have already done that. There are some optometrists in Dubbo who specialise in this field.

What does amaze me is that his Catholic school suggested his parents enrol him in a Public School so that his needs could be better met. I would have thought that with all the squillions of dollars of taxpayers money the Catholic system gets from both state & federal governments that they would have a top knotch special education system in place - especially in a city the size of Dubbo.

Since when was it the Dept of Education's problem if a child isn't in the Public System? This smacks of the Catholic education system abrogating its responsibilities & attempting to rid itself of someone who won't score well in the NAPLAN tests.

The whole situation is a disgrace. I hope Kris and his family find answers soon. Good Luck.

Posted by Toby, 10/11/2010 8:24:32 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Right on Toby, thanks for your support.

Kris"eyes have been tested as well as his hearing etc etc etc.

Its a sad game of political football and guess whom they are using as the ball?

Posted by Laurinne Campbell, 10/11/2010 9:20:13 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Listening and reading about the plight of the Campbells in trying to get some assistance for their son broke my heart. I rang Mrs Campbell and shared my encouragement for her to keep fighting for her son. She was so encouraging herself and believes her battle is about more then Kris, it is about all children with special needs that are being let down by the State government - I for one will be walking the streets of Dubbo with the Campbells giving out flyers - i wish it was how to vote cards and Labor would definatly be portrayed for what they are - cost shifting mongers with a lack of vision and common sense. go the Campbells. Come on Dubbo lets stand up for the kids in our community, for the kids right across the state, lets get out Labor and vote in the mob with some common sense about supporting our kids.

Posted by Go for it gal, 10/11/2010 9:24:33 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Labor government you are appalling. Your spokes persons comments around transferring children with special learning needs to government schools - that indicates the catholic schools are only there for the kids that have no problems with literacy and numeracy skills - YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING.. .... Come on Catholic schools where is your backbone - tell the State government there comments in todays liberal are unacceptabel, tell them you want to support ALL children regardless of their skill base, and the Catholic system is just as good as the public system .....................or is Toby correct in his comment around the NAPLAN testing showing poor results putting a bad taste in the catholic system mouth...............

Posted by discusted in the Labor Government, 10/11/2010 9:28:38 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

The spokes person for the Minister of Educatioin & training office - is he seriously implying if Kris, the little Warrior pilot, was transferred to a public system he would get all the help he needs - Get real Labor government if that was the case why do we have so many children that cannot read and write. I certainly hope the catholic school system take offense at these recommendations/implying of the state governemt of the state system being better then the catholic system.....or would they prefer vulnerable kids such as the little man brave enough to stand up and ask for his right to be able to read and write are in fact ousted from the flock? Furthermore, i support the model of Dalwood - it is an apprently proven model that has worked for years. Michelle Bolte and the many other mothers and fathers across the state are testiment of it working - why change it...................................Get Serious Labour Government, Get Real Verity Firth this is a crying shame for our future, you are letting down our kids, letting down country communities and breaking the hearts of so many families...

Posted by Are You Serious, 10/11/2010 9:34:18 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Oh for goodness sake, how very sad, devastating for the many families of children whom rely on services that assist children with severe learning needs such as dalwood and they are closed down

lets close down the Labor government good luck Campbells we are backing ya

Posted by and the answer is ....., 10/11/2010 9:36:01 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

I bet this wouldn't happen in N.S.W. (Newcastle, Sydney, Wollongong) or in a Labor seat just before an election.

Posted by ratepayer, 10/11/2010 10:23:56 AM, on Dubbo Daily LiberalMy child could not read or write similar to kris at that age. Like his mother I was extremely worried. I changed schools because I was told by the school he would never read. My child was at a public school. The move to a catholic school was the best thing I ever did. The support from his teacher was amazing. Within a year my child had gone from not being able to read to above his year in reading. It is not fair to put so much blame on the Catholic Schools. There are many dedicated teachers in this system. As a teacher's aide in a Catholic school I spent many hours looking for answers to reading problems for children like Kris. Hang in their Kris! My child will shortly graduate from university. You can achieve what you want to achieve! Never give up!

Posted by Concerned, 10/11/2010 10:31:15 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

I hear every word you are saying Laurinne. We are in a very similar situation with our child. It breaks your heart that services cannot be accessed. We have travelled many miles to get assistance with our child and at our own expense (IPTAS - hardly covers anything) Good Luck...

Posted by Concerned, 10/11/2010 11:02:53 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

For some of the people posting comments, I'm amazed at how many basic spelling and grammar mistakes there are. If you are going to argue, at least get it right.

Posted by MISSING THE POINT 10/11/2010 11:21:23 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

In the last ten years there has been more understanding of learning difficulties. When I first realized my child had problems there was very little understanding and help. It does not matter what government is in power the problem has been around for many years. I know of children who have grown up in a Liberal Government and still can't read or write. The fight is not about what government is in power. Instead the fight should be about addressing the problem so all children grow up able to read and write. If you think this won't happen under a Liberal Government you are wrong!

Posted by Concerned, 10/11/2010 11:21:23 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

I would like to know which planet Verity and the DET are on? I moved my child from public education to the Catholic system to get helpafter years of struggling with no answers. We have not looked back.The problem is the teachers do not have the time or funding or expertise to deal with kids with severe learning disorders. The Government refuse to fund these kids even though they have the disorder for the whole of their learning life. Verity, don't shift blame back to the Catholic system look at the big picture. This state's children needs a consistant educuation plan, access to collaborative teams , access to best practice programs like the Dalwood program that had been running well for 30- years.Schools need more support and more professionals on the ground who can help.We not only lost this service but more importantly lost the expertise of its staff who were the best. Parents know as we have been everywhere else to try and find answers.

We don't ask much its just a child's right to an education.,

Posted by Michelle Bolte, 10/11/2010 12:18:16 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Ms Campbell, your comments around Kris just wanting to be a little boy and you just wanting to be his mum, not a special needs teacher is so important. Hang in there, keep up the fight - hopefully someone in DET, and the state government is listening and will let common sense avail. I note the previous blog around the Liberal government support for children with severe learning disabilities and hope they will do more WHEN they get in - i dont see how Labor could even hope they have a chance with shameful actions of closing down centres that have proven themselves to help children with reading and writing. SHAME SHAME SHAME Verith Firth and SHAME on you Kristina Keneally for allowing her to do it......... Bring on the elections, bring on the help for little warriors like our Kris. Dont give up Kris we are rooting for you mate. I think you are incredibly brave little man.

Posted by A Dubbo Warrior boy supporter, 10/11/2010 12:39:29 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

Why is it that we give away millions upon millions of dollars overseas when we have this sort of thing in our own back yard. Its about time we fix up our own home before helping anyone else. To the little boy and his mom, keep your chin up , you will get there.

Posted by Gee, 10/11/2010 3:57:56 PM, on Dubbo Daily LiberalI read all the comments and i feel sorry for Mrs Campbell and young Kris but the fact of the matter is that the catholic education system does not have the disability support teams in place to look after young Kris that is why they suggested they send him to a government school so as he can be tested properly and then the right program can be put in place and can be given the individual attention he so rightly deserves,dont ask me why these teams cannot move between the systems you would have to ask the DET and Private Systems about that.Dont go banging on about the teachers they are trying their hardest to get these children up to speed but after listening to what goes on in the classroom i dont know how they teach the kids anything especially when they can not discipline the the kids because if they did it would be all across the news and parents would be up in arms, it would be great if the parents would teach the children a bit of respect for the teachers and adults in general.

Written by a person who went to boarding school and learnt to respect or suffered the consequence for my actions.

Posted by watching, 10/11/2010 5:12:02 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

It is so encouraging to see a family willing to stick their neck out and rattle the cage of our government on this issue. All Dubbo residents should be getting behind them and sign the petition that is being circulated... for the children and future children of regional NSW.

Thank you Kris for putting a face to this issue, and to Laurinne for driving the campaign! You guys are local heroes!

Posted by Go the Campbells!, 10/11/2010 6:25:23 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

No one here would ever blame the teachers. We blame the system that does not address this problem. There are so many parents with children in the public school system who are struggling to find help. The problem is that the expertise is not on the ground. It is hard to understand each individual case with these children. I am a parent of a child with a severe learning difficulty. It has taken me years to understand and I live with her 24 hrs a day. All that I can tell you is that parents go to great lengths to find the right environment and understanding that is required for the child to learn. Then you need to find the right person at the school who understands. Its hard. The Dalwood centre gave us support, answers and a program that is now seeing my daughter read her 4th novel. All I ask is that this program be restored and spread accross NSW and these children with severe learning difficulites be funded.Having these kids in large classes with no help does not work .I would imagine it would be very difficult for the teacher and child involved.

Posted by Michelle, 10/11/2010 9:55:43 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

At the end of the day, The Minister and her Techno Crazies have got it wrong, instead of properly investigating why the Dalwood Centre had issues, sorting them out and if necessary relocating the centre to a neutral building, they have STUFFED things up. Dalwood was the "Last Stop" Service that Verity is saying is not required and these "Pie in the Sky" centres are going to be a be all end all. Where are the specilaist staff coming from, schools whether State, catholic or independent struggle to attract individual specilaist teachers now. How are we going to find enough staff in the country, will there be medical professional available as there was previously???? for referred and to ensure a wholistic approach, probably not! Dalwood had all of that plus more. Labour is on the nose and got to go!

Posted by bellair, 10/11/2010 10:25:18 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

to "Spelling" get a life, you clearly do not have children with difficulties, are frustrated at government employees or are not capable of telling the truth, or have a total distrust for the combined education/health system to provide ongoing assistance when there is no other avenues of assistance available!

Posted by bellair, 10/11/2010 10:27:15 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

I have to agree with Watching. I am sorry for any hardship a family faces. But the Public system is not all horrors and are better equipped and resourced. I have a son who is attending a public school who has special needs. Last year I thought I would be looking at home schooling him. He is now reading and writes his name and loves learning. The school community, the principal and his wonderful teacher have been the wonderful. We can't into words what we owe them. I am proud of him and the school. Sending him to a private school never entered my mind. I wish you all the best, but don't make the public system sound like a kind of lesser option as I believe it is the best for children with special needs.

Posted by listener, 10/11/2010 10:38:52 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

My son had exactly the same experience. He is now 11 and has changed 3 schools. He went from Catholic School to Public School and now back to another Catholic School and he is only in year 5. We secured all the LAP funding and learning programs that both Catholic and Public Education has to offer. In the end what has helped him read was Dalwood and Palm Avenue School and caring teachers. The education system is not equiped to teach children with learning problems and the blame falls on our useless government who have shut down the only service that existed that was able to help our children. Re-open Dalwood and Palm Ave School. Verity Firth should be ashamed of herself. She has sold out our most vulnerable children...the very people she was elected to serve!!!

Posted by Shut down Labor not Dalwood, 10/11/2010 11:44:37 PM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal

My son has achieved great things after his time with the former Dalwood Assessment Centre and Palm Avenue School (be careful not to call this new system 'Dalwood', it's not). I can't believe that the Government are now telling this family that the school has all the answers. WE TRIED EVERYTHING before going to Dalwood. Sometimes these kids need specialist help and that's what Dalwood was!! Now all those great staff have been lost and families are wandering in the wilderness SURPRISE SURPRISE. Sack the people who did this!

Posted by Carol, 11/11/2010 8:25:39 AM, on Dubbo Daily Liberal