Page 18 - Unity Edn 44
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Isabel's Story
It got to the stage where the school was not
making Isabel do her schoolwork, but letting
her colour in so she would remain calm. Any
progress in reading and writing went down
the tube. Maths surprisingly was still ok (and
is still her best subject!!)
It was hard on all of us, both emotionally and
financially as Debbie had to go to part time
work so she could be available whenever the
school called, in addition to all the unpaid
leave we both had taken. I was taking time
off as well and having to work excessive hours
to keep up with my workload. This added
further stress as we were becoming less of
a family unit whenit finally culminated in the
worst meltdown yet. We had been trying
to get appointments in Darwin, because by
this point we knew something was seriously
wrong and we needed help, but from whom
we were unsure. The principal decreed that
Isabel could not return to school until we had
a behavioural action plan developed by a
paediatrician. Hours of frantic phone calls in
Darwin were met with “maybe in 6 months”.
Luckily, we could get an appointment the
following week with Isabel’s paediatrician in
Adelaide, then a psychologist appointment the
hen Isabel was little, we always knew next day. We jumped on a plane, hoping to
she had some issues, but nothing too get the help we needed and finally get Isabel’s
Wserious – trouble with change and a schooling back on track. Our paediatrician
tantrum or two. A bit worse than a normal agreed that it was likely she was autistic as
kid, but we could cope just fine. well as having ADHD, but was not able to do a
formal diagnosis due to time constraints.
Then we had a huge personal upheaval. We
moved to Darwin for a fresh start. It started We headed back to Darwin with our action
out fine and without knowing much about the plan in hand, hoping to get a diagnosis soon.
schools we selected a school - not to be named This unfortunately did not change anything
- with a campus that both of our children at school, and we were soon considering
could attend. Brodie (our eldest) was put into home schooling with no idea where to go for
year 11, and Isabel attended transition at the support.
same school, initially at different campuses,
but after six months we were able to switch I discussed with work colleagues the issues we
them to the same campus and everything had been having at school, and they all came
seemed to be going ok. back with the same answer…. “St Marys”.
Until the meltdowns started. An appointment was made with Jacquie
Langdon, and we outlined our concerns
Isabel was having daily meltdowns and the and hopes for Isabel. Her office became
whole class, after school care, and our family very familiar to us, working together with
were suffering. The teacher was helping us the school to get the best outcome. Almost
the best she could, but the principal was a immediately we were given support including
different story. It had been decided that due a recommendation to attend seminars
to Isabel’s issues with change, she wouldn’t through NT Families with a child behavioural
attend Music, PE, Chapel and Assemblies. expert. Although it was the first step it proved
This was without our knowledge or consent. valuable to us not only with ongoing support
I was also being called back to the school sessions in home and out but the referral of a
almost daily, as Isabel was to be excluded for tutor to get Isabel on track. The tutor worked
the remainder of the day (and quite often the with Isabel within school hours, and she soon
next day as well) because of a meltdown. started to show confidence and understanding
of the basics.
The principal would lie in wait – or so it felt
– to talk to us and tell Isabel off before we Although mentioned, Isabel was ‘the most
had even entered the school grounds. Work challenging student we have ever had”. Not
suffered because my wife was taking so much nice to hear, but we knew it was a struggle for
time off and was having panic attacks taking her teacher and the staff.
Isabel to school and at work, waiting for the
dreaded phone call. They worked so hard for us and with us. Never
once giving up on Isabel. I don’t know how
18 Catholic Community of the Northern Territory, Diocese of Darwin
