Page 19 - Unity Edn 44

UNITY
I

they kept going on when we were having We are by no means going perfectly and we
such a difficult time. There was always celebrate the small victories with the staff
something else we could try, more funding who have become friends. But most of all we
for support staff; the classrooms turned know we have the right support and Isabel
into safe havens for when it all became too has a future.
much. a difficult time. There was always
something else we could try, more funding So now if any parent mentions they are
for support staff, the classrooms turned into having trouble with their kids, and their
safe havens for when it all became too much. schooling, we are the ones with the same
answer we received: “St Marys”.
The school’s referral to the Catholic Education
psychologist and the assessments conducted
were the key to supporting a diagnosis.
The supporting evidence that this provided
created the picture for the paediatrician and
the diagnosis quickly followed.

Slowly, we all started to see progress.
Isabel’s classwork improved. We could go
a whole day, then a whole week without
a meltdown. Diagnosis followed – Autism
and ADHD. We decided to go down the
medication route and everything turned
around. The light at the end of the tunnel
appeared – just a small glimmer at first, but
the wonderful help and support we received
made it brighter and brighter.

The diagnosis and supporting evidence then
lead to the NDIS application. This process
did not take long and we were accepted and
ready to establish the plan. We requested
the Deputy Principal (who was also her first-
year teacher the year prior) to attend the
planning session with us to ensure the plan
we were establishing not only supported
Isabel’s home, but her school life as well.
Again, the support provided by all has, and
is, above and beyond, proving essential in Isabel - Year 1
getting Isabel the right support.
In just over two years we have gone from a Michael and Debbie Tanti (parents)
little girl who could not read or write at all
to one who is reading complete novel series
with each book in excess of 350 pages,
whose writing and expression has improved,
and who is doing really well in maths. She
has now finished year three and has also
undertaken her NAPLAN with minimal support
or considerations, something that would not
have been possible not all that long ago. Her
results showed her development and where
she rates, both of which are way above our
expectations

Blessed are those who give

without remembering.

And blessed are those who
take without forgetting.

Bernard Meltzer